Associations between disability status, workplace accommodations, and well-being among practicing physicians and trainees

Introduction: Physicians with disabilities face persistent barriers to inclusion, with downstream effects on well-being, performance, and workforce retention. While disparities in burnout and professional fulfillment are increasingly documented, the role of workplace accommodations in shaping these outcomes remains insufficiently examined. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data at a large urban academic medical center to examine associations between disability status, access to accommodations, and workplace well-being among physicians and trainees. Results: Of 1696 eligible physicians and trainees, 1057 (62.3%) responded; 928 with complete disability data were included. Seventy-two participants (7.8%) reported a disability. Compared with peers without disabilities, they reported lower fulfillment, higher burnout, and reduced belonging. Among physicians with disabilities, those with accommodations reported better well-being across measures. Attending physicians with accommodations also reported higher clinical efficiency, while trainees reported lower efficiency regardless of accommodation status. Conclusion: Disability is associated with poorer workplace outcomes. Access to accommodations is linked to improved well-being and, among attending physicians, greater clinical efficiency, highlighting accommodations as a key lever for workforce sustainability.