Supporting neurodivergent doctors to thrive at work

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Heaps, C., Shaw, S. C. K., & Doherty, M. (2025). Supporting neurodivergent doctors to thrive at work. BJPsych Advances, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1192/bja.2025.10116

Publication date: 28 Jul 2025 Added to AutiHub: 5 Jul 2026 Type: Article Article language: English
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Authors

Publication authors
3
Publication authors identified as autistic
2 / 3 (66.7%)
  1. Charlotte Heaps
  2. Sebastian Charles Keith Shaw *
  3. Mary Doherty *

Abstract

SUMMARY Mirroring the general population, the number of medical students, doctors and, indeed, psychiatrists disclosing being neurodivergent is rising. These individuals commonly have a variety of strengths that can enhance their work, but these strengths may go unrecognised. All too often such individuals have been labelled ‘doctors in difficulty’. We begin this article with a review of contemporary thinking regarding neurodiversity, before considering specific issues facing neurodivergent doctors, specifically psychiatrists. We explore neurodivergent strengths and the evidence regarding career outcomes and mental health. We discuss the stigma that many neurodivergent psychiatrists face in the medical sphere and how difficulties may be reframed as unmet needs. We highlight initiatives that aim to change workplace culture, before discussing the concept of reasonable adjustments, alongside a wide range of practical suggestions of adjustments to consider, using the Autistic SPACE framework and the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ reasonable adjustments guidance. Finally, we consider how those in senior leadership roles can contribute to this field and provide role modelling and signposting to further information and support for neurodivergent doctors and their supervisors and line managers.

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Cited references
51
Total cited references integrated for this publication.
Cited references with an identified autistic author
15 / 51 (29.4%)
Cited author occurrences identified as autistic
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Among occurrences linked to AutiHub author records: 27 / 61 (44.3%). Distinct cited authors identified as autistic: 9 / 105 (8.6%).
Cited author occurrences linked to AutiHub author records
61 / 130 (46.9%)
Distinct linked cited authors: 36 / 105 (34.3%)
Linked cited-author occurrences not identified as autistic
34 / 61 (55.7%)
Among linked cited-author occurrences only. Across all cited-author occurrences: 34 / 130 (26.2%). Distinct linked cited authors not identified as autistic: 27 / 36 (75.0%).
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