Variance in technical standards?

[biogirl215]

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I have a physical disability that makes me unable to walk unassisted (I use a walker) and impairs my upper extremity fine motor skills. Looking at some of schools' technical standards, I would be pretty much bared from applying. I couldn't do CPR, move patients, or do surgeical incessions, and might have trouble with IVs. Given as at least some schools disallow the help of a third party, I would definitely be barred. Are these standards uniform, though? Or are there some schools where the requirements might be flexible enough to work with me?

Thanks.

 

[kdburton]

I have a physical disability that makes me unable to walk unassisted (I use a walker) and impairs my upper extremity fine motor skills. Looking at some of schools' technical standards, I would be pretty much bared from applying. I couldn't do CPR, move patients, or do surgeical incessions, and might have trouble with IVs. Given as at least some schools disallow the help of a third party, I would definitely be barred. Are these standards uniform, though? Or are there some schools where the requirements might be flexible enough to work with me?

Thanks.

If I remember correctly there was a blind student at a Wisconsin medical school. If he can do it I'm sure you can.

 

[?DreamsRMadeOf]

I have a physical disability that makes me unable to walk unassisted (I use a walker) and impairs my upper extremity fine motor skills. Looking at some of schools' technical standards, I would be pretty much bared from applying. I couldn't do CPR, move patients, or do surgeical incessions, and might have trouble with IVs. Given as at least some schools disallow the help of a third party, I would definitely be barred. Are these standards uniform, though? Or are there some schools where the requirements might be flexible enough to work with me?

Thanks.

NBC just aired a story about a triple amputee who recently graduated as a doctor from UCLA Medical School, it's a very inspiring and compelling story. 🙂

http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm...4&rf=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/&fg=

 

[Law2Doc]

If I remember correctly there was a blind student at a Wisconsin medical school. If he can do it I'm sure you can.

The school has to be willing to make accomodations. Not all will/can. Perhaps one or two might. It is probably telling that the same one or two examples tend to pop up over and over again on SDN. Yes, there has been a blind med student, a few wheelchair bound med students, but a lot of places probably lack the ability or inclination to revamp their programs to allow for that. It's not like you spend 4 years sitting in a classroom and then can jump right into a talking intensive residency (ie psych). You have to get through physical diagnosis classes where you will need to palpate and percuss, perform pelvic and rectal exams etc. You will need to get through 3rd and 4th year rotations where you are in the OR or helping deliver babies. You will absolutely need to be able to use a needle, put in lines, tubes and catheters. You will be expected to go along on rounds which often involve walking as a pack around the wards. So if you are unable to do all these things a school is going to have to modify its program to allow you to participate to the extent you can. And a lot of schools won't or don't have the resources. So many schools require you to complete a form indicating you are able to perform certain physical and observational tasks inherent in the program. The likely inference of such forms is that if you are unable to perorm such tasks, you are unable to attend the program. So you will have to find the one or two places that are willing to make an accomodation for a truly exceptional applicant where a significant disability is involved.