Charting a Course to Medical School: The AMSA Map for Success
Tips for Premedical Students with Chronic
Illnesses and Disabilities
by Phyllis A. Nsiah-Kumi
Medical education can be a daunting task, and living with a chronic illness, mental illness, learning disability, or any other type of disability certainly makes that task more challenging. However, it need not be an insurmountable challenge. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss possible challenges that you as a student with a chronic illness or disability may face in medical school and how to overcome them, specifically focusing on what you can do during the application process to ensure your success.
Individuals in medicine who have chronic illness or disabilities face a number of challenges. Among them are the frequent inflexibility of the system; inaccessibility/inavailability of necessary resources, support services and personnel; ignorance on the part of peers, faculty and administrators; confidentiality issues; a lack of role models/mentors; and prejudice and discrimination. All of these are in addition to the actual challenges posed by your condition itself and the challenges posed by medical school. These challenges are not listed to discourage you, but to give you some hints as to what to expect. If you are prepared for what lies ahead, then you can more capably handle it and get on with the business of becoming a physician.
DISCLOSURE
One of the challenges you will face surrounds the issue of disclosure.
The fact that you have a chronic illness or disability is a very
confidential matter. When should you disclose your chronic illness
or disability, if at all? Should you discuss it in your personal
statement? Should you mention it only after you have decided
to attend a particular institution? Who do you tell? What policies
exist relating to confidentiality? What rights do you have based
on current legislation? What questions can you be asked in an
interview? How do you respond if these illegal questions are
asked? If you were to disclose your disability to a particular
individual or office, who else is permitted to know about it
without your notification? These are important questions which
require careful consideration. This is certainly beyond the scope
of this brief chapter. Suffice it to say that this is a decision
that only you can make.
Before you can make a decision, you need to be educated on the issues. For more information, contact organizations such as Association for Higher Education and Disability, the HEATH Resource Center, and the Association for People with Disabilities as well as the disabilities services and/or affirmative action offices at the institutions you are considering. (The contact information for the first three organizations is given at the end of this chapter.) Last, but certainly not least, earn about the Americans with Disabilities Act.
When contacting any one of the institutions you are considering, you do not have to identify yourself by name or give all the details right away. Have everyone on a need to know basis. You need to say enough to get you to the right person, and then you should be able to explain things to that one person. At that point, you still do not have to give your name.
There are instances in which non-disclosure is to your advantage. However, if you anticipate needing special services, or accommodations, you may have no choice but to disclose your condition. Even then, it is not necessary to disclose this information during the application process. It becomes most relevant after you are accepted to a particular school. Whatever you decide, know your rights and what recourse you have available to you, should those rights be violated.
ACCOMMODATIONS
FOR THE MCAT
Your chronic illness or disability may make you eligible for
special testing accommodations for the MCAT, especially if you
are currently receiving them or previously received them as an
undergraduate. For more information on the procedure, refer to
the registration booklet and contact the office of disabilities
services at your current academic institution.
SELECTING
ON AN INSTITUTION
As you consider various institutions, you must first determine
what you need to succeed and then determine if the institution
in question is able to provide it. You need to pick the best
school for you. You need an environment that will give you everything
you need to succeed and will help you grow as a person.
Contact the student support services office at the school. If they don't have one, check with the affirmative action office; they will be able to point you in the right direction. Again, you do not have to identify yourself by name; you can tell them you are a prospective student. Tell them that you have a chronic illness/disability and may at some point be in need of accommodations. You want to ask about confidentiality, testing, flexibility of courses and curriculum, etc. They will tell you what is available and what sort of certification, documentation, etc. you need. If you need testing accommodations, don't forget that you will need to go through extra paperwork to get them for boards after years 2 and 3. Be sure to ask about this early.
Find out as much as you can about the schools you are considering . Read their promotional literature, go to informational sessions, and talk to students. Your interview is another invaluable opportunity to gain first-hand information.
Find out ahead of time how flexible the curriculum is. Does this school have a five year program? Are there courses you could take in the summer if you had to? Can you go part-time if it becomes necessary? What types of student support services are available? Does the school offer tutoring or study groups? Are there faculty and/or peer mentoring programs? Who would you go to in the event that you had difficulties? These are all important questions to consider.
Be sure to consider other factors as well. Are buildings on the campus accessible? Can the school supply you with any accommodations you may need such as a note-taker, extra exam time, separate testing conditions and breaks during exams? If the weather affects your condition significantly, then you need to consider climate as well. Consider the distance between the school and your interpersonal support system as well. How far will you be from friends, family and mentors? If an institution offers a great curriculum but does not appear to have a good support system, is it really a wise choice?
ONCE YOU
HAVE DECIDED
Take OWNERSHIP of your education. These tips are good to start
using now in your premedical years, but they are especially important
to remember as you continue your journey to becoming a physician.
| O - | Overcome Obstacles- determine what they are, and get to work on overcoming them. |
| W - | Work Hard. |
| N - | Never Give Up; Never Be Ashamed of Who You Are. |
| E - | Expect Great Things; Evaluate- from time to time, check up on your progress. |
| R - |
Responsibility - be responsible for yourself. No one can do this
for you. Resources- know who and what is available and take advantage of it. Find people who are where you want to be and talk to them. |
| S - | Support System; Socialize. |
| H - | Honesty - Never lie. At the same time, you do not have to share everything with everyone, even when asked. Decline to answer some questions, and learn to dodge others and change the subject when necessary. |
| I - | Independence; Information - know what you are entitled to; know what resources are available. Understand that most people are probably ignorant of your specific condition, unique situation and needs. Be prepared to educate them honestly and connect them with resources when appropriate. |
| P - | Proactive - Do not wait for things to happen; this is being reactive. Plan ahead and make things happen; this is being proactive. Have short and long term goals-academically and personally. |
FINAL THOUGHTS
Do not deny that your condition or its impact on your activities of daily living. Figure out what YOU need to succeed and do everything in your power to get it, in advance, even if you may not need it right away. A lot of the process is lengthy and requires lots of paperwork. START AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Always plan ahead. Try to keep as far ahead as possible, since you never know when a down time will strike. Have a safety net.
Do not give in to inferiority complexes or discouragement. Be confident. You know yourself better than anyone at the school does. It will be apparent that you are being responsible and proactive. Tell them what you feel that you need and find out what they have available. Be assertive. Do not relinquish your rights by being passive. Decide what is acceptable to you. Do not let someone else decide for you. You have to live with this decision. Do not be afraid to be creative. There is not only one way to do things. Be knowledgeable about available resources.
Early on, get a copy of the disabilities, accommodations information in the school handbook. It is important to know about official policies relating to these issues.
Don't expect breaks because of your illness or disability. Not everyone understands, or even tries. You should expect reasonable accommodations, but not extra breaks. You need to be just as qualified as every one else in whatever you do, if not more so. Study hard; work hard. Whatever you do, do it with all you've got. Always do your best.
Finally, good luck to you. Refer to the resources below for more information, and do not hesitate to contact AMSA's Committee on Disabilities if we can be of any assistance to you, both now and during your medical school experience.
"..if you can learn to think big, nothing in the world can keep you from being successful in whatever you choose to do"; "Don't go around with a long face, expecting something bad to happen; anticipate good things; watch for them..." Benjamin S. Carson, MD
 Minority Applicants
|
Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Applicants 
|