A friend of mine is a physician and is fighting a brain tumor. Fortunately, the tumor is not malignant. However, the original MRI shows that the tumor is large. I've been keeping this person in my prayers and the situation has caused me to think about the issue of brain tumors. Given how quickly this person is recovering, I'm sure this great doctor will soon return to clinical medicine.
What's amazing is that our bodies are able to adapt to significant medical challenges. I know another doctor who is undergoing a significant joint replacement operation. Another physician is struggling with significant depression. Meanwhile, other physicians may struggle with a variety of health conditions and may not realize that there are resources that can help them as they're going through these situations.
Disabled medical students get help from the GMC
Medical schools are to receive updated guidance to ensure that disabled students do not face unnecessary barriers in pursuing a medical career.
Research has found that disabled students are under-represented in medical schools; in 2009, less than six per cent of medical students declared a disability1 compared to 19% of working-age adults in the UK2.
The General Medical Council has worked closely with representatives of medical schools and disability experts to review its guidance, Gateways to the Professions: Advising medical schools, encouraging disabled students, to improve the support available for disabled students wishing to access medical education.
Professor Jim McKillop, Chair of the GMC Undergraduate Board and a member of the working group which reviewed the guidance, said:
"It is really encouraging to see more individuals with a disability seeking entrance to medical school and schools making appropriate adjustments to accommodate their needs, as for many years unnecessary barriers have stopped them from pursing a medical career.
"Diversity in the medical profession is clearly beneficial to individuals, patients and the profession itself and there is no reason why, with the help of reasonable adjustments, more disabled students should not be able to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities through a medical career."
Read more here.
Research has found that disabled students are under-represented in medical schools; in 2009, less than six per cent of medical students declared a disability1 compared to 19% of working-age adults in the UK2.
The General Medical Council has worked closely with representatives of medical schools and disability experts to review its guidance, Gateways to the Professions: Advising medical schools, encouraging disabled students, to improve the support available for disabled students wishing to access medical education.
Professor Jim McKillop, Chair of the GMC Undergraduate Board and a member of the working group which reviewed the guidance, said:
"It is really encouraging to see more individuals with a disability seeking entrance to medical school and schools making appropriate adjustments to accommodate their needs, as for many years unnecessary barriers have stopped them from pursing a medical career.
"Diversity in the medical profession is clearly beneficial to individuals, patients and the profession itself and there is no reason why, with the help of reasonable adjustments, more disabled students should not be able to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities through a medical career."
Read more here.
Disabled but not disheartened
Last week, I met a physician who was disabled but certainly not disheartened. This individual was very motivated to find a non-clinical career and to apply medical knowledge to improve public health. What a great attitude!
If you're struggling with a disability, don't get discouraged. There are a number of resource and support groups that are available to help you. Also, you may discover some new ways to apply your skills and talents. You may want to read this story about a woman with cerebral palsy who is working and supporting her mother.
If you're struggling with a disability, don't get discouraged. There are a number of resource and support groups that are available to help you. Also, you may discover some new ways to apply your skills and talents. You may want to read this story about a woman with cerebral palsy who is working and supporting her mother.
Blind quadriplegic certified as M.D.
Here's an interesting story from The Japan Times:
Blind quadriplegic certified as M.D.
A 27-year-old man became the first blind quadriplegic in Japan to receive a medical doctor's license in line with revisions to a restrictive law, officials of the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said.
The awarding of the license on Thursday follows the government's revision in 2001 of the Medical Practitioners Law, when it abolished clauses stipulating that people who have trouble seeing, hearing or speaking cannot become doctors, dentists or pharmacists.
"I want to offer my support to the disabled and people with incurable illnesses," the doctor, who asked not to be named, was quoted as saying.
The officials said a disease left him blind and unable to use his limbs when he was a university student.
After a temporary break from university, he began his studies and in March took the national exam for medical practitioners, in which he had the questions read out to him and was given extra time to complete them.
Four experts and ministry officials interviewed him and assessed his qualifications and level of disability, before declaring him fit to receive a medical license.
Blind quadriplegic certified as M.D.
A 27-year-old man became the first blind quadriplegic in Japan to receive a medical doctor's license in line with revisions to a restrictive law, officials of the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said.
The awarding of the license on Thursday follows the government's revision in 2001 of the Medical Practitioners Law, when it abolished clauses stipulating that people who have trouble seeing, hearing or speaking cannot become doctors, dentists or pharmacists.
"I want to offer my support to the disabled and people with incurable illnesses," the doctor, who asked not to be named, was quoted as saying.
The officials said a disease left him blind and unable to use his limbs when he was a university student.
After a temporary break from university, he began his studies and in March took the national exam for medical practitioners, in which he had the questions read out to him and was given extra time to complete them.
Four experts and ministry officials interviewed him and assessed his qualifications and level of disability, before declaring him fit to receive a medical license.
AMA/CMA/BMA International Conference on Physician Health 2010
The AMA/CMA/BMA International Conference on Physician Health 2010 is starting today.
Physician Health and Resiliency in the 21st Century
Oct. 3-5, 2010
Chicago, Ill.
Don't forget to subscribe to the Physician Health e-Letter here.
Physician Health and Resiliency in the 21st Century
Oct. 3-5, 2010
Chicago, Ill.
Don't forget to subscribe to the Physician Health e-Letter here.
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