Discomfort of Medical Students in Interactions With People With Disabilities

The attitudes of healthcare workers have been recognized as an important factor that can influence the quality of healthcare services provided to individuals with disabilities. The aim of this study is to examine the level of discomfort experienced by medical students in their interactions with people with disabilities, as well as to determine the relationship between the level of discomfort and the frequency of contact with people with disabilities, gender, year of study, and training for working with people with disabilities. The sample consists of 277 medical students. A socio-demographic questionnaire, Interaction with Disabled Persons Scale and The Contact with Disabled Persons Scale were used in the research. Medical students show a higher degree of empathy and a lower level of discomfort and fear regarding interactions with people with disabilities. No gender differences were observed. A statistically significant, positive, and low correlation was found between the level of empathy in interactions with people with disabilities and the frequency of contact with such individuals, as well as a negative and low correlation with discomfort. No connection between the level of discomfort and the year of study was recorded. Given that this sample consists of students training for a profession in the “helping professions,” the results are positive and motivating. On the other hand, the fact that there is no training for working with people with disabilities should be given special attention, and the introduction of such content into curricula and the medical study program should be considered.