title: Residents with disabilities: a national survey of directors of emergency medicine residency programs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) has been in effect since 1990. The present study shows response to this act for emergency medicine (EM) residents nationwide.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 121 surveys were mailed to the directors of American College of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-approved residency programs. A definition of disability was provided, and a second mailing was sent to those not replying.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-two program directors (76%) responded, representing 4,644 residents. Of these, 62 residents (1.3%) were reported as having a documented disability. Programs with a known disabled resident were significantly more likely to have available resources for assistance. Forty-seven (52%) of the program directors suspected a resident might have an undiagnosed disability, and 40 (85%) of these recommended testing or referral.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a wide array of disabilities among EM residents. Available assistance varies. This may apply to other residencies as well.
authors.affiliation: Division of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Takakuwa
authors.forename: Amy A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004635:Emergency Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008486:Physician Executives / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States