Exploratory study of self-reported disability, accommodations, and mistreatment among residents at an academic medical center.

BACKGROUND

Limited research has examined self-reported disability and disability-related experiences among residents. A better understanding of the experiences of trainees with disabilities is needed to inform support systems within graduate medical education (GME). This exploratory study aims to describe self-reported disability among residents at an academic medical center, accommodations and supports, and disability-related mistreatment.

METHODS

This single-site study was approved by the Beth Israel Deaconess Institutional Review Board and conducted between 2024 and 2025. An online survey was administered to all residents at the academic medical center. Survey results were analyzed descriptively.

RESULTS

The survey response rate was 16% (n = 91/558). 12 respondents (13%) reported a disability, most commonly neurodevelopmental/learning disabilities (58%) and chronic health conditions (42%). Of those, four respondents (33%) reported having disability accommodations. Four respondents (33%) experienced disability-related mistreatment; of those, two indicated that they reported the mistreatment to the appropriate channels. Nearly all respondents with disabilities (92%) were unaware of disability-specific GME resources. Most respondents felt that their program leadership and co-residents were accepting and supportive of disability.

CONCLUSIONS

In this exploratory study of residents from a single academic medical center, 13% self-reported having a disability. One-third experienced disability-related mistreatment. Findings from this study support site-specific efforts to streamline the disability accommodations process, ensure confidential mistreatment reporting, and improve awareness of disability-specific resources.