Quinnipiac medical students gain hands-on skills for more inclusive patient care

Quinnipiac University is giving future physicians hands-on experience in providing more inclusive, patient-centered care for people with disabilities. Through a fourth-year clinical elective at the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, medical students are learning to recognize barriers to care, challenge unconscious bias and better understand the individual needs of patients with disabilities.

The course brings medical education into an adaptive fitness setting, where students work directly with people with disabilities while gaining practical insight into how physicians can support patients in pursuing exercise, wellness and greater independence.

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Led by Dr. Traci Marquis-Eydman, associate professor at Quinnipiac's Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine, and Christy Bosley, clinical instructor at Quinnipiac and director of adaptive fitness at the YMCA of Greater Hartford, the course is helping future physicians develop skills that can carry into their medical careers.

"I am so proud to work alongside Christy on this initiative," Marquis-Eydman said. "Equitable healthcare begins with how we educate our medical students, and this course is one example of how QU and our partners at the YMCA are training doctors to treat every patient with dignity and respect. I am thrilled by the response from the students and grateful for this collaboration."

What began as a fourth-year medical student's capstone project has grown into a Quinnipiac course focused on prescribing exercise for people with disabilities and helping future physicians recognize unconscious bias, practice inclusive patient interactions and better advocate for patients and caregivers.

The course grew from Bosley's work leading the YMCA of Greater Hartford's adaptive fitness program, which serves more than 105 participants. The program adapts exercises, equipment and training environments to individual needs, helping people with disabilities build strength, mobility, confidence and independence.

Each academic year, an average of six to eight fourth-year medical students participate in the elective, working directly with YMCA members with disabilities as part of their clinical experience.

"Adaptive fitness is modifying exercises, equipment, protocols, and our environment," Bosley said. "We want to adapt everything to the person, not have the person adapt to us."

Through the course, medical students gain practical insight into the challenges people with disabilities can encounter in health and wellness settings while learning how physicians can support patients in pursuing exercise and greater independence.

"The greatest significance of the class to me has been how great of a connection the students and the clients make by the end of the course," Bosley said. "The students feel more comfortable working with individuals with disabilities and more confident in the resources that are available."

Beyond her work with Quinnipiac and the YMCA, Bosley serves on the YMCA of the USA's Disability Community Resource Network Steering Committee, supporting resources and best practices related to disability inclusion, accessibility, advocacy, staff training and ADA accommodations.

The collaboration reflects Quinnipiac's commitment to preparing future physicians to provide more inclusive, patient-centered care and to recognize disability as an important part of the patient experience.

While Disability Pride Month provides an annual opportunity to raise awareness and recognize the contributions and experiences of people with disabilities, the lessons extend well beyond July. At Quinnipiac, medical students are putting those lessons into practice as they prepare for careers in which understanding, accessibility and inclusion can make a meaningful difference in the care they provide.