Privacy, disability, and health science students

Abstract

We are often asked to address students' concerns about confidentiality and privacy related to their disability status in high‐stakes health professions programs. Some students may have expectations about confidentiality practices based on their experience in health care settings. Stigma can also be a barrier to seeking accommodations in these programs as students often describe concerns about who will know about their disability and who will have access to their disability documentation. As future health professionals, students are understandably concerned that their documentation and disability status could be used against them in their career (e.g., inability to get malpractice insurance, inability to get licensed, concern with documentation being accessed in malpractice suits).