More than half of doctors and medical students who are disabled or neurodivergent have quit their job or considered leaving the profession in the past two years because of a lack of support from their colleagues, a BMA survey has revealed.
And a total of 34% reported experiencing bullying or harassment linked to their disability, neurodivergence, or long-term health condition.
In addition, the survey of 801 disabled and neurodivergent doctors and medical students showed that only 40% of those who disclosed their disability to their place of work or study received better support. A higher proportion (43%) said they had to find money from their own pocket to fund reasonable adjustments they needed at their place of work or study.
A majority of respondents (56%) said they believed ableism was a greater issue in the medical profession than in wider society.
The interim findings have prompted the BMA to encourage employers and medical schools to open discussions with disabled and neurodivergent doctors and students. It is due to publish a full report accompanied by a series of recommendations later this autumn but has said ‘early reflection’ on these findings and how they apply locally ‘will help drive meaningful, informed change’.
The union said it s currently working with stakeholders to address the issues highlighted in the survey.
Key findings included:
- 73% of respondents hadn’t been given all of the reasonable adjustments they need
- 53% said that, in the past two years, they had left a job or considered leaving the profession due to lack of support
- 50% said they had had to use annual leave to attend appointments related to being disabled/neurodivergent/having a long-term health condition
- 42% said they had been subject to performance management processes due to disability/neurodivergence -related sickness absences
- 42% didn’t think their place of work/study had a culture that was disability and neurodiversity inclusive
- 78% said they had worried about being treated or viewed unfavourably for disclosing their disability/neurodivergence/long-term health condition.
Speaking on ableism posing a more significant challenge within the medical profession, Dr Alice Gatenby, a doctor based in South Wales, labelled it ‘an NHS issue’.
‘If I were a teacher, I wouldn’t need to go through a lengthy process to prove I’m disabled every time I changed classrooms. But as a doctor with an invisible disability [epilepsy], I must prove to a disability panel that I’m still disabled every single year.’
Dr Amit Kochhar, chair of the BMA’s Representative Body, said that employers providing appropriate support is not only the right thing to do but that ‘it’s essential’ – otherwise talented doctors will exit the workforce.
He said: ‘Disabled doctors and medical students are present at every level of the profession, contributing as valued and vital members of the medical workforce.
‘A lack of disability and neurodiversity awareness, coupled with discrimination and stigma, can significantly impact disabled doctors’ lives and careers. We also continue to see disparities, such as the later diagnosis of autism in women, and significant variation in access to services for international colleagues. Those who have already overcome personal hurdles should not face additional barriers, such as rigid exam policies or being unfairly penalised throughout their careers.
‘Providing appropriate support is not only the right thing to do – it’s essential. When that support is lacking, we risk losing talented doctors from the profession altogether. This loss is detrimental to individuals, patients, and the NHS, compounding workforce retention challenges and increasing pressure on those who remain,’ Dr Kochhar added.
