Carry on, doctor

Amit Shah is a junior doctor at Leicester Medical School

In my final year of medical school I had my third relapse of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, this time with an autoimmune attack against my cerebellum. This left me with an array of impairments of varying severity, such as slurred speech, a lack of control over co-ordination and balance, fine dexterity difficulties and tremors.

My case was referred to the medical school’s fitness to practice committee, which had to decide if these impairments would stop me performing as a doctor. I worked twice as hard to prove that I would be an asset to the medical profession, and despite the uncertainty and negativity from some staff members, I was relieved to find that the medical school had a legal obligation under the Disability Discrimination Act to make reasonable adjustments so that I could fulfil my role as a doctor.

I qualified as a doctor last August and have successfully completed rotations (temporary secondments) in breast surgery and psychiatry.

I felt it was important to be upfront and honest with my supervising consultant and colleagues so they could support and understand me when I did things differently, instead of making false assumptions. I also chose specialities that would allow me to adjust more easily to clinical work.

An occupational health consultant makes sure I am coping both physically and mentally. I also have the option of tailoring my training so that I can find my place in medicine at my own pace. Fortunately, I have not come across any major obstacles and my colleagues have been very sympathetic and encouraging. More importantly, I haven’t had any complaints from patients. Indeed, I feel that, having been one myself, I have a better understanding and relationship with my patients.

I am currently waiting for specialist equipment after being assessed by the government’s Access to Work scheme. It has not been easy to find someone in the hospital to order and buy the equipment, though, and seven months into my training I am still waiting.

Being honest about my impairments has enabled me to focus my training on developing my strengths. I need to find a compromise between what I dreamed of doing and what I can actually do, and choose a speciality that will highlight my strengths and not my impairments.

Looking back, medical school is not the hardest part of becoming a doctor when you have disabilities. Whatever arrangements have been made at school or college can also be made at university.