Race and Disability Characteristics and Accommodation Disparities on the USMLE Step 1

What is the association of gender, race, ethnicity, type and timing of disability diagnosis, and access to a specialized disability resource professional (DRP) with US Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 accommodations request and approval?In this cross-sectional study of 295 medical students with disabilities, the Step 1 accommodations request rate was significantly lower for Asian students and students with psychological disabilities. Accommodation approvals were less likely for those with psychological or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder diagnoses, diagnoses after medical school matriculation, and those from schools without specialized DRPs.These findings highlight the disparate experiences of students requesting Step 1 accommodation by race, disability type, timing of diagnosis, and institutional resources.

Corresponding Author: Mytien Nguyen, MS, Yale School of Medicine, 367 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06518 (mytien.nguyen@yale.edu).

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