It’s a question many aspiring medical professionals with ADHD ask: “Can I become a doctor?”. The answer is a resounding yes. Despite lingering stigmas around Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other learning differences, individuals with ADHD possess unique strengths that can make them highly successful and empathetic physicians.
You’re also not alone in this journey. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in December 2016 revealed that three percent of medical students report having disabilities. Among this group, ADHD is the most prevalent, accounting for nearly 34% of cases. This data even suggests a growing trend of disabilities among medical students, indicating increasing recognition and support within medical education.
Dr. Mary Jo Martin, Assistant Professor of Pathology at KCU, understands these challenges firsthand. She points out that medical school can be the first time some students truly confront their learning differences, bringing conditions like ADHD to the forefront.
Dr. Martin’s own diagnosis of ADHD and dyslexia came during her medical school years at Marshall University, thanks to an observant assistant dean. Fortuitously, Marshall had a dedicated program for students with learning disabilities, which Dr. Martin participated in.
This program was pivotal for Dr. Martin in discovering personalized learning techniques. She found that diagramming and visual aids were particularly effective for information retention. In her anatomy classes, she ingeniously created a “coloring book” from lecture materials.
“I photocopied images from every lecture and would color code the body, making a visual connection rather than word association,” she explains. “The anterior may be yellow while posterior may be purple. Superficial areas would be a lighter shade and deeper areas would be a darker shade.” This method transformed complex anatomical information into digestible visual cues.
Later in her career, Dr. Martin recognized that her ADHD and dyslexia weren’t just challenges, but potential assets. During her family practice rotation, this became strikingly clear.
“I noticed that I saw things and relationships that other people missed,” Dr. Martin recounts. “I’d walk out of a patient exam with my preceptor and ask him ‘what about the spot on the patient’s hand?’ and we’d walk back in to check it out.” This heightened awareness to detail exemplifies a significant benefit of ADHD.
“People with ADHD are constantly in scan mode. It’s what makes us so good at multitasking,” she elaborates. This “scan mode” allows Doctors With Adhd to be exceptionally observant and efficient in managing multiple tasks and patient needs simultaneously.
Furthermore, ADHD can fuel intense focus in areas of genuine interest. “We’re hyper-focused when we’re interested in something,” Dr. Martin says. “That’s why we do extremely well in classes we like.” This hyper-focus can translate into deep expertise and dedication within a chosen medical specialty.
Today, Dr. Martin shares her experiences with ADHD and dyslexia during KCU student orientations. She initiates important conversations about study skills and learning strategies, guiding будущих doctors to thrive.
“I enjoy sitting down with students and helping them refocus their studying so that they’re profiting more from the time they’re putting in,” Dr. Martin states. “I show students what worked for me, but ultimately I encourage them to find what works for them.”
In conclusion, Dr. Martin’s journey underscores that ADHD is not an impediment to a successful medical career, but can be a source of unique strengths. Aspiring doctors with ADHD can absolutely achieve their dreams, bringing valuable perspectives and skills to the medical profession.
