<p>Just as the topic suggests, Can Stuttering effect becoming a sucessful doctor? One of the reasons I don’t think I’ll succed in Med. school is not because of the difficulty of the subjects but the difficulty of communication. I often stutter and communication in speech is very vital in becoming a doctor esp. a Surgeon where you need to state your actions ASAP. I don’t want to say “pass the s-s-scapel” it’s be embarrassing and give people the wrong impression.</p>
<p>communication is a major aspect of being a doctor. Im not sure how much of an impact stuttering will have on your success. Remember, once you make it into med school its just a matter of passing to become a doctor (if thats what you’re asking). So yes, if you make it to med school you will most likely succeed (in becoming a doctor)</p>
<p>I know someone who has a physical deformity of the head and facial structures. This causes the person to speak muffled and unclearly, as if there were a small sock in his/her mouth. However, I know that this person has been in leadership positions and taught classes and is applying to medical school. Will he/she be rejected during the interview when the interviewer sees his/her appearance and hears his/her voice? I don’t know… but I just wanted to share with you that you are not alone in wondering something like this.</p>
<p>By the way, have you thought about other types of doctor who have less patient contact? I’m not saying you can’t have patient contact (I say go for your dreams!) but I’m just bringing up other possibilities.</p>
<p>Is it possible to seek help with your studder? Maybe you could go into the medical field that works with that as you would have empathy for patients. </p>
<p>Not everyone wants or needs to be a surgeon. The medical field offers alot of choices.</p>
<p>To deny you an opportunity in med school because you have a speech impediment would be almost unlawful. Don’t worry about it. I bet your stutter isnt even noticeable.</p>
<p>Certainly medical schools are allowed by law and, in fact, would deny spots to applicants based on disabilities that would interfere with their ability to make and communicate diagnoses or perform procedures. Applicants with significant visual, locomotive, or motor impediments would, in fact, be denied spots prima facie.</p>
<p>I know this sounds like a violation of the ADA, but that presumes that going to medical school is a right, which - apparently - courts have been reluctant to enforce (Bakke notwithstanding).</p>
<p>I am skeptical that a speech impediment would constitute such a difficulty. My point is simply that if it does, I don’t think you would win any related lawsuits.</p>
<p>I can’t address the issue of stuttering, but in my husband’s med school class I can remember two students with disabilities one might think would have hurt their chances—and obviously didn’t. One walked with heavy leg braces, thus had a difficult time with all those hours on his feet (this was the days before work hours were more limited also). Another had fairly severe tourette’s syndrome (not verbal outbursts, but very strange jerks of head and facial spasms). Both of these men are successful practicing physicians.</p>
<p>Can’t say about the acceptance issue, but I would think that your success would depend more on the type of medicine that you eventually go into. Perhaps surgery and ER are not good choices. There are many other areas. I’m not sure how the required rotations would be affected, however.</p>
<p>KIDNOVELIST - Have you considered trying an assistive device for your stuttering?? If you stutter and it bothers you - you should definitely look into what is out there. There is NO reason to keep you from going to med school if that is the road you wish to follow - go for it.</p>
<p>ECU in Greenville, NC has done - is doing - research on stuttering - this site has lots of info that may be of help to you. The device at the bottom of the page below - is one that I am a little familiar with - the <a href=“http://www.speecheasy.com/[/url]”>http://www.speecheasy.com/</a> - I have seen it in action - and WOW. This may be an option for you to achieve any dream you want to go after 
Check it out - lots of info on this site.</p>
<p><a href=“Stuttering Foundation: A Nonprofit Organization Helping Those Who Stutter”>Electronic Devices, Software and Apps | Stuttering Foundation: A Nonprofit Organization Helping Those Who Stutter;
<p>Trust me, if a med school wants to accept you, it’s because of you’re accomplishments and value to them, not because you have a stutter or not. My dad says med schools just don’t do that. And I agree.</p>
<p>I, for one, have stuttered my whole life. At various times my impediment has bothered me. I’ve been told it bothers me more than others. Albeit, I did go into the Air Force for the GI Bill. I worked in the hospital and the ER. My dream in life has been to become a doctor. Somewhere along the way, I got distracted from my dream. I am again pursuing it. My thought is if medical schools have accepted others with disabilities (including stuttering), then evidently it isn’t an issue to keep us from our dreams. Again, it bothers us more than it does others. Don’t let it keep you from your dream. At this juncture in my life, I will not let my stuttering impede or inhibit my dream of becoming a doctor. I have such a strong, intense urge to become a doctor that my speech will not hinder my actions. Keep in mind that some people speak when they should listen. Stutterers have an instinctual urge to listen first, then speak. This is a good trait to have–especially for being a doctor.</p>
<p>Med schools can’t deny you admission becuase of that.</p>
<p>I don’t claim to know the law, but I doubt a medical school would discriminate on this basis unless there was a reasonable basis for concluding the physcial limitations would prevent the individual from practicing medicine. The question in your case is whether you can function in a medical practice. If so, then it might be a disadvantage, but it should not knock you out of consideration. If it really does impair your functioning, then it could be problem.</p>
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<p>I do not believe this to be true. I have known several docs with a variety of chronic ailments. They choose careers and practices that fit their limitations.</p>
<p>afan:</p>
<p>I don’t think you understand the meaning of “significant visual, locomotive, or motor impediments.” Disabilities like blindness or quadriplegia would probably be grounds for refusing someone’s application. Chronic conditions like dwarfism or MS are not, since an affected person could still perform basic tasks like manipulating a stethoscope or conducting a physical exam.</p>
<p>shades-children is right. People with disabilites that’s going to affect their job severly might be denied. As for stuttering, you can still communicate right. You might not be perfect but can still convey your thoughts and ideas to other patients and doctors.</p>