AI in medical education can transform classrooms but is not an answer to ableism Premium

Supreme Court ruling on medical school admissions for disabled students sparks global conversation on inclusivity in healthcare education.

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court recently declared that the National Medical Commission’s requirement for MBBS admissions — stipulating “both hands intact, with intact sensation and sufficient strength” — violates constitutional principles and is arbitrary. The SC said that such a prescription reeks of ableism and has no place in statutory regulation. 

Medical colleges need to equip themselves to facilitate classes for students with disabilities. While advanced technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help bridge learning needs of the disabled, much more needs to be done to create a supportive environment so they can

The judgement was passed when the SC was hearing the case of a candidate who suffered from 50% locomotor disability and 20% speech and language disability. The candidate had cleared the NEET with flying colours. However, an Assessment Board had found him ineligible to be a doctor due to his disability. The ruling confirmed the candidate’s admission to Government Medical College, Sirohi, Rajasthan.

This call for inclusivity in medical education is not unique to India; it has resonated globally over the past two decades. Prof. David Snashall, in his article, ‘Doctors with disabilities: licensed to practise?’ emphasizes that medical schools now have a responsibility to accommodate a broad range of disabilities. The same applies to hospitals and other healthcare establishments. 

At the same time, medical technology has advanced at an astonishing pace, parallel to developments in other fields. The growing impact of Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other advanced technologies has not only transformed patient experiences but also opened doors to careers traditionally inaccessible to people with disabilities. 

For instance, individuals with mobility impairments can now experience medical procedures or practice tasks remotely, overcoming physical barriers. VR can also be customised with audio cues, captions, or tactile feedback for those with visual or hearing impairments, helping them acquire skills in fields where they previously faced obstacles. Meanwhile, AI plays a crucial role in the development of assistive devices such as speech recognition software, AI-powered prosthetics, and smart home systems, enabling people with disabilities to live more independently by compensating for physical or cognitive limitations.

While experts say that these technologies help address social, physical, and cognitive barriers inherent in traditional teaching environments, other issues persist. Dr. Sreekumar Ramankutty, an orthopedic surgeon from the U.K., says it is important to support the inclusion of candidates with disabilities early in their training, with the aid of appropriate technology and workplace-related adaptations.  “Other challenges include a feeling of being isolated and not adequately mentored during their training periods. There are also instances of bullying and harassment, and a lack of senior role models or support,” Dr. Ramankutty adds.