Introduction:

The concept of disability is related to the socially-imposed limitations on the disabled because their bodies do not correspond to the model accepted as normal. Access to health care for this population is generally precarious, partly due to the lack of preparation for the care of disabled patients during medical school. This suggests that the school curricula need to be revised.

Objective:

To analyse the perception of the senior medical students at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) about the current curriculum, specifically, in relation to the care of people with disabilities.

Method:

A form previously prepared on the Google Forms platform was made available to collect information from senior medical students at the School of Medicine (FAMED). Afterwards, semi-structured interviews were carried out via Google Meet using questions that aimed to understand the relations between future doctors and people with disabilities, as well as the confidence of the students in their preparation for caring for such patients. For analysis of the empirical material acquired, we used Rueda’s speech analysis.

Result:

Thirteen interns were interviewed, who reported limitations in learning how to establish a doctor-patient relationship with patients with disabilities during the first two years of medical school, having effects on the future clinical rotations. Politeness, knowledge of the patient’s socioeconomic and cultural conditions, and building an executable therapeutic plan were considered qualities to be developed by the student. The main problems reported was difficulty in performing the physical examination and communication with disabled patients. However, help from the patients’ carers and from the professional team was considered positive by the students. Perceptions regarding the preparation to care for the disabled were contrasting: some reported confidence, due to training and empirical knowledge, while others felt insecure or incapable. It is also important to consider adapting the curriculum on this subject, with interventions in compulsory and elective subjects.

Conclusion:

Considering the responses and analyses, it was evident that the interviewees experience difficulties in caring for the disabled, suggesting changes to the FAMED-UFC curriculum.

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