Study Shows Troubling Lack of Knowledge by Physicians About the Americans with Disabilities Act

New research published in Health Affairs finds that most physicians still lack basic knowledge about "reasonable accommodations" for providing equitable care to people with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 36% of 714 polled physicians knew little or nothing about their legal mandates under the law, while 71% were unaware of who determines reasonable accommodations. Moreover, 21% did not know who must pay for these accommodations, and 68% thought they were at risk for ADA litigation. "To achieve more equitable care and social justice for patients with disability, considerable improvements are needed to educate physicians about making healthcare delivery systems more accessible and accommodating," said Massachusetts General Hospital's Lisa I. Iezzoni, MD, MSc, the study's lead author. The research emphasizes the need for more physician training on disability civil rights and their ADA-mandated responsibilities, including through continuing medical education. "Medical schools are currently training students about combating racism, and there should also be training in combating discrimination against people with disability, also known as 'ableism,'" said the University of Colorado's Eric G. Campbell, PhD, senior author of the study. "Every practicing physician can expect to see increasing numbers of people with disability, and they need to know how to accommodate them."

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