Exclusion of people with disabilities in medicine

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On this episode of the CMAJ Podcast, Dr. Blair Bigham and Dr. Mojola Omole examine an article published in CMAJ titled, 'Tackling barriers to Canadian medical school admissions for students with disabilities.' The analysis highlights how medical education has historically devalued or excluded trainees with disabilities and emphasizes the need for more flexible and inclusive admission processes.
They are joined by Shira Gertsman, the lead author and a medical student at McMaster University, who shares her personal battle with Crohn's disease and the hurdles she encountered applying to medical school. Gertsman underscores the critical need for accommodations for individuals with disabilities and the importance of greater representation and understanding within the medical field.

Next, the hosts speak with Dr. Caroline Bowman, a family physician who developed multiple sclerosis mid-career, to discuss her initial symptoms, her fears and concerns, and the impact of MS on her ability to work as a family physician. She also talks about the challenges she faced in accepting her disability and the shame associated with it. Dr. Bowman offers her thoughts on how the medical profession can be more accommodating and understanding towards physicians with disabilities, and the benefits that both physicians and patients can gain from addressing shame and creating a more compassionate culture in medicine. The discussion acknowledges how strains in the medical system reduce flexibility and challenge its capacity to make systemic changes.
This podcast has been sponsored by MD Financial Management. Click here for more information.

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