The experiences of autistic doctors: a cross-sectional study

This publication is included in the Autistic Autism Scholarship Project. three authors of this publication are identified as autistic in the project.

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Shaw, S. C., Fossi, A., Carravallah, L., Rabenstein, K., Ross, W., & Doherty, M. (2023). The experiences of autistic doctors: a cross-sectional study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14, 1160994-1160994. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1160994

Publication date: 18 Jul 2023 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
Publisher source (DOI) Full text OpenAlex source

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Authors

Publication authors
6
Publication authors identified as autistic
3 / 6 (50.0%)
  1. Sebastian C.K. Shaw *
  2. Alexander Fossi
  3. Laura Carravallah *
  1. Kai Rabenstein
  2. Wendy Ross
  3. Mary Doherty *

Abstract

Introduction Medicine may select for autistic characteristics. As awareness and diagnosis of autism are growing, more medical students and doctors may be discovering they are autistic. No studies have explored the experiences of autistic doctors. This study aimed to fill that gap. Methods This is a cross-sectional study. A participatory approach was used to identify the need for the project and to modify a pre-existing survey for use exploring the experiences of autistic doctors. Results We received 225 responses. 64% had a formal diagnosis of autism. The mean age of receiving a formal diagnosis was 36 (range 3–61). Most were currently working as doctors (82%). The most common specialties were general practice / family medicine (31%), psychiatry (18%), and anesthesia (11%). Almost half of those working had completed specialty training (46%) and 40% were current trainees. 29% had not disclosed being autistic to anyone at work. 46% had requested adjustments in the workplace but of these, only half had them implemented. Three quarters had considered suicide (77%), one quarter had attempted suicide (24%) and half had engaged in self-harm (49%). 80% reported having worked with another doctor they suspected was autistic, but only 22% reported having worked with another doctor they knew was autistic. Having never worked with a potentially autistic colleague was associated with having considered suicide. Most preferred to be called “autistic doctors” (64%). Most considered autism to be a difference (83%). Considering autism to be a disorder was associated with preference for the term “doctors with autism,” and with having attempted suicide. Conclusion Autistic doctors reported many challenges in the workplace. This may have contributed to a culture of nondisclosure. Mental health was poor with high rates of suicidal ideation, self-harm, and prior suicide attempts. Despite inhospitable environments, most were persevering and working successfully. Viewing autism as a disorder was associated with prior suicide attempts and a preference for person-first language. A neurodiversity-affirmative approach to autism may lead to a more positive self-identity and improved mental health. Furthermore, providing adequate supports and improving awareness of autistic medical professionals may promote inclusion in the medical workforce.

Bibliography cited by this reference

Cited references are imported from external metadata sources when they are available. The list may be partial.

Cited bibliography overview

These indicators describe the bibliography cited by this publication. An author name is counted each time it appears in one cited reference, so the same person can be counted more than once. Names not yet linked to an author already present in AutiHub are treated as unknown, not as non-autistic. Last computed: 2 Oct 2026 02:38.

Cited references
58
With a DOI
44
Without a DOI, from raw bibliography text
14
19 / 58 (32.8%) cited references include at least one author identified as autistic.
References with data to complete
5 / 58 (8.6%)
References with detected author names
54 / 58 (93.1%)
Without detected author names
4
Without a structured title
4
Without a stable identifier
13
References with raw author names still to review
0
References with external metadata lookup issues
0
These indicators apply to cited references displayed on this page, after technical duplicates have been merged. A reference without a DOI can still support author statistics when a title and author names are available.
Author names detected in the cited bibliography
224
From DOI or external metadata
224
From validated raw bibliography text
0
Raw names already validated
0
Raw names still to review
0
105 / 224 (46.9%) names are linked to an author already present in AutiHub. 119 / 224 (53.1%) names are not yet linked.
Names linked to a person identified as autistic
50 / 224 (22.3%)
Calculated across all author names detected in the cited bibliography. Among names linked to an author already present in AutiHub: 50 / 105 (47.6%). Distinct people identified as autistic: 19 / 182 (10.4%).
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