Abstract Title A Survey on Disabilities and Disability Awareness in General Surgery Residents in the US

Background Disabilities pose challenges for medical professionals, including surgical residents, impacting their training, performance, and overall well-being. Despite national statistics highlighting the high prevalence of disabilities among adults in the US, there remains a notable gap in understanding how these conditions impact surgical residency programs, particularly regarding the disclosure of disabilities and the utilization of accommodations. This study compared disability prevalence among general surgery residents with national benchmarks, explored disclosure barriers, and assessed disability policies in residency programs.

Methods This study utilized a descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted among 198 general surgery residents across 323 programs located in urban, suburban, and rural settings. Participants completed a detailed 33-item questionnaire that encompassed demographic data, disability status, practices of disclosure, usage of accommodations, and awareness levels regarding disability policies and training within their residency programs. The survey was administered anonymously via email over two months, from February to April 2024.

Results Among the respondents, 10.6% reported having physical disabilities, while 20.2% reported mental disabilities; the majority, 68.7%, reported no disabilities. Notably, 62.9% of residents with disabilities had not disclosed their status to program directors, primarily citing fears of discrimination and concerns over the burden of proof. Residents expressed significant apprehension regarding the transparency of accommodation requests and potential biases in evaluations. Moreover, a substantial portion (53.3%) reported receiving no prior training on interacting with individuals with disabilities, and 75.3% were unaware of their residency program's specific disability policies. These findings underscore critical deficiencies in disability awareness, policy communication, and support mechanisms within surgical residency programs across the United States.

Conclusion This study highlights pervasive gaps in disability disclosure and support within US surgical residency programs, emphasizing the urgent need for reform. Despite about 1 in 3 surgical residents reporting a disability, disability support seems lacking, impacting the health and wellbeing of residents. Recommendations include integrating comprehensive disability-related training into residency curricula, enhancing transparency of disability policies during the application process, and establishing clear protocols for residents to request accommodations. Addressing these challenges is crucial not only for promoting inclusivity and reducing stigma but also for enhancing professional success and overall well-being of surgical residents with disabilities. Such improvements have the potential to elevate standards of patient care and enhance surgical outcomes. Future research should aim to expand the scope of investigation to include a larger and more diverse sample, as well as explore intersectional factors influencing the accommodation needs of residents with disabilities.