The experiences of autistic medical students: A phenomenological study.

BACKGROUND: Increasing recognition of autism is reflected in the growing awareness of autistic health care providers. Regulatory bodies including the UK General Medical Council and the UK Medical Schools Council have published guidance fostering inclusion. Whilst many autistic doctors and students are thriving, many may not disclose their diagnosis unless difficulties arise, which perpetuates stereotypes. No studies have explored the experiences of autistic medical students. We aimed to do this. METHODS: This was an interpretive phenomenological study. Autistic medical students were recruited using Facebook announcements. Participants underwent audio-recorded, loosely structured interviews. Recordings were transcribed verbatim and underwent an interpretive phenomenological analysis. RESULTS: Five participated from five different UK medical schools. Constructed themes included: Autistic profiles and stereotypes-'I'm a lot better with patients than I am with my peers, with staff, which is hard for a lot of people to understand'; sensory processing and the learning environment-'noises really hurt my ears … It actually hurts'; me, myself and masking-'so, medicine's hard. But I'm also studying myself and I'm figuring myself out and that degree is harder'; the social world-'I always feel like I'm watching my back'; and navigating the system-'[they say] "but you're going to be a doctor one day, so you need to get used to it"'. CONCLUSION: Participants longed for understanding and support from their medical schools. They reported experiences of isolation, bullying and anxiety. Most felt themselves to be victims of the system, whereby they were expected to adapt themselves in order to appear non-autistic. When participants reported not coping due to being autistic, most were advised to 'take time out'. None were offered personalised adjustments to their learning environment. All reported strengths associated with being autistic. This supports the assertion that autistic people can be safe, effective and skilled doctors.

A full CIRCLE: inclusion of autistic doctors in the Royal College Of Psychiatrists' values and Equality Action Plan.

Autistic psychiatrists bring strengths and values to the workforce and ask to be acknowledged and supported as part of the Royal College of Psychiatrists' CIRCLE values and Equality Action Plan. Courage and collaboration are required to jointly learn and innovate, promoting well-being, resilience and excellence for autistic doctors.

The learning experiences of dyslexic medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a phenomenological study.

Dyslexia is a Specific Learning Difficulty that impacts on reading and writing abilities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, medical schools have been forced to undertake distance learning and assessment. The wider literature suggested that e-learning might pose additional challenges for dyslexic students. Here we explore their overall experiences of learning/studying during this time in a phenomenological study. Five medical students were interviewed in depth and the audio-recordings were transcribed verbatim. Transcripts then underwent an interpretive phenomenological analysis. Our results highlighted a largely positive experience, with an improved culture of togetherness, freedom and sense of control. They also revealed issues with a lack of clinical exposure, potential negative impacts on ranking positions for those with dyslexia, and possible cheating in exams. There are some surprising results-in particular the positive responses to how remote learning was delivered. These seemed to put our participants more on a par with their non-dyslexic colleagues-except in some examinations. It is our hope that medical educators may resist a return to 'the way things have always been done' when the pandemic has resolved, and by doing so, continue to foster this new, positive culture and paradigm shift.

The experiences of foundation doctors with dyspraxia: a phenomenological study.

Dyspraxia, otherwise known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), is a specific learning difficulty (SpLD). Its main difficulties manifest as problems with motor coordination, organisation, academic and social difficulties. There are now more students arriving at university with SpLDs, and, therefore, a similar rise may be expected within medical education. There has been no previous research focusing on dyspraxia in doctors. An interpretive phenomenological approach was used. Six UK foundation schools disseminated the announcements. Three participants took part in loosely structured telephone interviews regarding their experiences of undertaking medical school and foundation school with dyspraxia. These were transcribed verbatim and then thematically analysed. The themes could be split into two main categories: "Weakness and Coping Strategies" and "Perspectives of Dyspraxia". "Weakness" included: clumsiness, organisation and needing extra time. The participants focused on their "Coping Strategies" that included: Ensuring safety, adapted learning preferences and external support. "Perspectives of Dyspraxia" included: diagnosis, career choice, stigma, "normalisation" and the "difference view" or "medical deficit" view of dyspraxia. Doctors with dyspraxia often mask their difficulties through sophisticated coping strategies. These were determined and hardworking individuals who believe that their dyspraxia was a positive aspect of their identity, adopting a "difference view". They felt further education is needed about dyspraxia to change the perceived stigma. There is now a need for further research in this area.

Safe and effective prescribing with dyslexia.

BACKGROUND: The term 'dyslexia' refers to a condition that impacts upon reading and writing abilities whilst not altering intelligence. Individuals with dyslexia may have difficulties with the speed and accuracy and their reading and writing, amongst other issues. Dyslexia is not automatically considered a disability but is a protected characteristic under the UK Equality Act (2010), and therefore employers and educational institutions are required to provide 'reasonable adjustments' in order to allow individuals to reach their full potential. There is a lack of research on this issue, but what little there is suggests that doctors feel as though any support they received ended when they graduated from medical school. MAIN BODY: A core distinction between medical school and medical practice is the requirement to prescribe medicines as registered medical practitioners. Junior doctors have to master this complex and potentially hazardous skill "on the job", with a perceived lack of support. Here, we open up a debate about the potential impact of dyslexia on prescribing, and the need to find supports that may be effective in enabling doctors with dyslexia prescribe medicines safely and effectively - and thus reach their full potential as medical practitioners and promote patient safety. CONCLUSION: We argue that medical schools and hospitals could immediately provide dyslexia awareness training in both undergraduate and postgraduate settings. We discuss electronic prescribing systems, and conclude that research is required to identify effective supports for junior doctors with dyslexia.

The experiences of medical students with dyslexia: An interpretive phenomenological study.

This article explores the experiences of U.K. medical students with dyslexia, using an interpretive phenomenological approach. This project began with a review of the literature, highlighting a void of qualitative research. We then conducted a collaborative autoethnography. This paper forms the next stage in this series of research. We aimed to elicit meaning and understanding from the lived experiences of our participants. Eight U.K. junior doctors with dyslexia were interviewed over the telephone in an in-depth, unstructured manner. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed with the aid of a template analysis. Experiences of helplessness and hopelessness were common. These may be a result of a fear of stigmatization and personal feelings of inadequacy. They may also be fuelled by the incidents of bullying and belittling from other medical students that were reported. An important meta-theme was of fear and lack of understanding. A lack of pastoral support was also reported. Their experiences of medical school assessments are also reported. More may need to be done to educate teachers and clinical supervisors on dyslexia.

The experiences of autistic adults who were previously diagnosed with borderline or emotionally unstable personality disorder: A phenomenological study.

LAY ABSTRACT: Autistic people face many barriers to receiving an autism diagnosis. Often, they may be misdiagnosed with borderline personality disorder instead. For our study, we interviewed 10 autistic adults who had previously been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. This helped us to better understand their experiences. They explained how borderline personality disorder is quite stigmatised and may suggest that people are to blame for their differences in behaviour. They found the treatments they had to try for borderline personality disorder to be harmful. For example, these treatments promoted 'masking'. Previous research showed that masking can be harmful for autistic people, linking it to risk of suicide. This diagnosis also led to healthcare professionals neglecting them and discounting their beliefs. Once they were diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, it was hard to access an autism assessment. When they did receive their autism diagnoses, this was much more positive. This diagnosis was validating. It also improved their mental health, as they were no longer expected to mask - their differences were now accepted. They still felt that autism was stigmatised in society. However, this was very different to the stigma around borderline personality disorder. They felt autism stigma was more about their competence as people, whereas borderline personality disorder stigma was about how they were broken and might be harmful to others. This study is important because it allows their stories to be heard by researchers and healthcare professionals alike. Adding their voices helps to humanise them, promoting positive change in mental health services. More research is now needed.

"I am afraid of being treated badly if I show it": A cross-sectional study of healthcare accessibility and Autism Health Passports among UK Autistic adults.

BACKGROUND: Autistic people are more likely to experience stigma, communication barriers and anxiety during healthcare. Autism Health Passports (AHPs) are a communication tool that aim to provide information about healthcare needs in a standardised way. They are recommended in research and policy to improve healthcare quality. AIM: To explore views and experiences of AHPs among Autistic people from the UK who have been pregnant. METHODS: We developed an online survey using a combination of open and closed questions focused on healthcare impairments and views and experiences of AHPs. Data were anlaysed using descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and content analysis. FINDINGS: Of 193 Autistic respondents (54% diagnosed, 22% undergoing diagnosis and 24% self-identifying), over 80% reported anxiety and masking during healthcare always or most of the time. Some significant differences were identified in healthcare (in)accessibility by diagnostic status. Only 4% of participants knew a lot about AHPs, with 1.5% of participants using one at least half of the time. Almost three quarters of respondents had not previously seen an AHP. Open text responses indicated that the biggest barrier to using an AHP was a belief that health professionals would discriminate against Autistic patients. Additional barriers included staff lack of familiarity with AHPs and respondents expecting a negative response to producing an AHP. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that AHPs are not reducing health inequalities for Autistic adults who have been pregnant. Alternative solutions are needed to reduce health inequalities for Autistic people.

The experiences of autistic doctors: a cross-sectional study.

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.

Barriers to healthcare and self-reported adverse outcomes for autistic adults: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: Autistic people experience poor physical and mental health along with reduced life expectancy compared with non-autistic people. Our aim was to identify self-reported barriers to primary care access by autistic adults compared with non-autistic adults and to link these barriers to self-reported adverse health consequences. DESIGN: Following consultation with the autistic community at an autistic conference, Autscape, we developed a self-report survey, which we administered online through social media platforms. SETTING: A 52-item, international, online survey. PARTICIPANTS: 507 autistic adults and 157 non-autistic adults. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported barriers to accessing healthcare and associated adverse health outcomes. RESULTS: Eighty per cent of autistic adults and 37% of non-autistic respondents reported difficulty visiting a general practitioner (GP). The highest-rated barriers by autistic adults were deciding if symptoms warrant a GP visit (72%), difficulty making appointments by telephone (62%), not feeling understood (56%), difficulty communicating with their doctor (53%) and the waiting room environment (51%). Autistic adults reported a preference for online or text-based appointment booking, facility to email in advance the reason for consultation, the first or last clinic appointment and a quiet place to wait. Self-reported adverse health outcomes experienced by autistic adults were associated with barriers to accessing healthcare. Adverse outcomes included untreated physical and mental health conditions, not attending specialist referral or screening programmes, requiring more extensive treatment or surgery due to late presentations and untreated potentially life-threatening conditions. There were no significant differences in difficulty attending, barriers experienced or adverse outcomes between formally diagnosed and self-identified autistic respondents. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction of healthcare inequalities for autistic people requires that healthcare providers understand autistic perspectives, communication needs and sensory sensitivities. Adjustments for autism-specific needs are as necessary as ramps for wheelchair users.

Adjustable Loop Femoral Cortical Suspension Devices for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a common sports injury. Symptomatic knee instability after this injury is usually treated operatively through ACL reconstruction. The surgery involves a tendon graft being fixed in bony tunnels drilled through femur and tibia. The fixation of the graft is of critical importance to achieving good results. One of the commonest devices used to fix the graft in the femoral bony tunnel is a fixed loop cortical suspensory device. More recently, adjustable loop cortical suspension devices have been introduced, and have gained popularity for ACL reconstruction. These allow for adjusting the length of the suspension loop after insertion. There is currently much debate concerning whether the adjustable loop devices are superior or inferior to the fixed loop devices. PURPOSE: To critique and review the current biomechanical and clinical evidence on the use of adjustable loop devices in hamstring ACL reconstruction. To our knowledge, there have been no previous reviews of this topic. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA. Five databases were searched using multiple search terms and MeSH terms where possible. The following limits were applied: papers published in English and papers published in the last 21 years. RESULTS: Eleven laboratory and six clinical studies were reviewed. The laboratory-based studies have frequently shown elongation of adjustable loop devices to more than 3 mm under loading protocols, whereas the clinical studies have not shown any significant differences between the patients with fixed loop and the ones with adjustable loop devices. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This review shows a discrepancy between laboratory-based and clinical studies. The review of clinical studies in our paper would give future researchers confidence and act as a prompt to construct randomised clinical trials to investigate these devices further. CONCLUSION: We feel that more robust clinical randomised studies and trials are needed to evaluate these new devices.

The exam performance of medical students with dyslexia: a review of the literature.

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. INTRODUCTION: Dyslexia is a common condition. Estimates suggest it effects approximately 10% of the worldwide population, and 1.7% of UK medical students. This review aimed to explore the existing literature concerning the exam performance of medical students with dyslexia. METHODS: A Review of Medline, ERIC, PsychInfo, The Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA checklist. Papers were accepted if they concerned the exam performance of medical students with dyslexia. RESULTS: Three papers were selected for review. These were all cross-sectional studies comparing exam results in students with dyslexia and without dyslexia - and the impacts of extra time in exams. A risk of bias assessment determined that all three were appropriate to include in this review. A meta-analysis was planned but could not be performed because the number of studies was low and heterogeneity between the studies too high. There was consensus that Multiple Choice Question exams were fair for students with dyslexia, when extra time was allowed. Essay type exams were found to be particularly challenging for students with dyslexia. Students with dyslexia were also found to be at a disadvantage in their first year. DISCUSSION: Overall, the evidence suggests that medical students with dyslexia are slower to adapt to medical school and under-perform early in the course. However, with appropriate supports, they appear to perform on a par with their non-dyslexic peers as they progress through their course. Our review highlights the need for more research in the medical student population.