Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder accommodations for psychiatry residents.
OBJECTIVE
With the increase in diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults, it is expected that more resident physicians will require accommodations so that their academic performance and clinical competency can be measured adequately. The authors provide an overview of the requirements and issues regarding the provision of ADHD accommodations for psychiatry resident physicians as well as recommendations regarding policy development in this area.


METHODS
The authors review the symptoms of ADHD, proper documentation of ADHD, and the rationale and legal basis for providing accommodations to resident physicians with ADHD.


RESULTS
Executive functioning, attention, and affect regulation are three domains that could negatively affect the functioning of a resident physician with ADHD. Possible accommodations specific to each general competency are described.


CONCLUSIONS
In order to comply with existing guidelines, training programs should be proactive and have a procedure in place that 1) requires adequate documentation; 2) ensures confidentiality; 3) grants accommodations which measure core knowledge and not the limits of the disability; and 4) does not alter the core curriculum of the program.
Elliott
Harold Walker
HW
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. helliott@wfubmc.edu
Arnold
Elizabeth Mayfield
EM
Brenes
Gretchen A
GA
Silvia
Loretta
L
Rosenquist
Peter B
PB
D000068:Accreditation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002961:Civil Rights / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004522:Educational Status; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010815:Physician Impairment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D014481:United States