The Disabled Anesthesiologist

Abstract

A significant number of anesthesiologists will experience a disabling illness or injury during their careers. In addition to ethical obligations to patients, physicians have ethical obligations to their colleagues: both to recognize and intervene when disabilities have the potential of interfering with patient care and to try, whenever it is possible and safe, to support colleagues with disabilities in pursuing a successful career. Encouraging and accommodating physicians with disabilities in their practice of medicine benefits patients, by including physicians who may better understand the challenges of the disabled, and also the profession, by promoting acceptance of diversity in practice.

Keywords: Americans with Disabilities Act; Burnout; Disability; Impairment; Substance use disorder.