Current estimates place the number of children with disabilities at 1 in 6, with this proportion rising to upwards of 1 in 4 in adulthood and 3 in 4 by the time a patient is considered geriatric. Nonetheless, a recent national survey found that only 40% of physicians were very confident about their ability to provide quality care to patients with a disability, and only 56% strongly agreed that they welcome disabled patients into their practice. Several groups of advocates have developed practice guidelines to help address this bias both in medical education and in direct patient care. The goal of this elective is to increase medical students’ respect for and awareness of patients with disabilities across numerous specialties and to support them in understanding the complexity of care for individuals with disabilities across the lifespan.

Note that this information may change at any time. Please visit the MyBU Student Portal for the most up-to-date course information.