Fostering Support and Inclusion for Physicians, Postgraduate Trainees, and Medical Students With Disabilities: A Position Paper From the American College of Physicians.

Abstract

Over the past several decades, federal laws have instituted sweeping antidiscrimination protections to foster inclusion for people with disabilities in education and employment, but substantial barriers remain to full and meaningful inclusion in the practice of medicine. In this position paper, the American College of Physicians (ACP) highlights the barriers to entering medicine and offers policy recommendations to improve the accessibility of medical schools, training programs, and the practice of medicine. ACP affirms that a diverse physician workforce, inclusive of disability, is a key component of reducing disparities in health and health care.