Medical schools get advice on supporting students with disabilities

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-05-12 00:01

New Zealand

Photo by Marcelo Leal on Unsplash

A new guidance document gives recommendations on how medical schools in New Zealand and Australia could increase the representation of people with disabilities among their students. The document, from the Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand, proposes a strengths-based approach to supporting students with a disability to study medicine, and identifies key elements to consider including reasonable adjustments, student support networks, early engagement, and open and constructive discussions.

Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand (MDANZ) is the peak body representing all medical schools in Australia and New Zealand. MDANZ reviewed its 2017 guidelines related to selecting and supporting medical students with disabilities, and developed new recommendations. MDANZ recommends that medical schools adopt an inclusive, strengths-based approach to recruiting and supporting medical students with disabilities. A strengths-based and inclusive culture within medical schools is essential. Medical schools should adopt an individualised, context-specific and inclusive approach based on early, open dialogue with students with disabilities. As social norms and technologies evolve, regular re-examination of guidance on how to support potential or current medical students with a disability will be necessary.

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Organisation/s: University of Otago

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