A Review of Disability Accommodations Procedures at US-Based Medical Physics Residency Programs
Abstract
Purpose
Numerous publications have been published regarding disability accommodations within graduate medical education (GME), primarily focused on physician training. To date, however, there exists only one publication related to medical physics residency education. This abstract proposes to continue building this work by investigating the presence of disability-related information in CAMPEP-accredited medical physics residency programs’ public facing websites.
Methods
This pilot study selected US-based residency programs listed in the CAMPEP repository of accredited programs for both therapy and imaging. The webpages of listed programs were then investigated for presence of disability information. If a program’s handbook was available online, it was also downloaded and included in the review. Information Reviewed included non-discrimination disclosures, guidance on the accommodations process, and employment benefits details along with any specific mentions of disability or accommodation.
Results
There are a total of 180 imaging and therapy residency programs currently accredited by CAMPEP. From preliminary investigations (n=14), one program had their handbook available and three had evident disability insurance information in their benefits packages. Of note, one program’s sponsoring institution had clear navigation for institutional accessibility with direction for submitting a barrier-to-access complaint. Another program had aspects of universal design included in their benefits package for residents including flexible scheduling and work from home statements. A final program had a non-discrimination notice along with access to an ombuds office, but was unclear on disability-specific accommodation process.
Conclusion
Based on initial trends, there is a lack of information on disability or accommodation on many residency programs’ websites. Due to this, prospective residents with disabilities may be discouraged from applying, thus depriving our field of talented and driven physicists who could improve the current standard for treating patients with disabilities. This work, however, could be used to help rectify this to improve recruitment and retention of disabled physicists.