Survey reveals widespread ableism in medical profession

Interim findings from a major survey conducted by the British Medical Association (BMA) have revealed that ableism is more prevalent within the medical profession than in wider society, with over half of disabled and neurodivergent doctors and medical students reporting that they have either left the profession or seriously considered doing so in the past two years due to lack of support.

The survey, which gathered responses from more than 800 doctors and students across the UK, paints a troubling picture of systemic barriers and discrimination. Among the key findings, 56 percent of respondents believed ableism was more pronounced in medicine than elsewhere, while 63 percent said inadequate support had directly hindered their education or career progression.

Dr Alice Gatenby, a South Wales-based doctor living with epilepsy, shared her personal experience of navigating the profession with an invisible disability. She described the annual requirement to prove her disability status to a panel as burdensome and unnecessary, contrasting it with more inclusive practices in other professions. Despite strong academic performance, she said she had been blocked from entering training programmes due to the system’s rigid expectations and lack of accommodation.

“I’m a good doctor. My exam scores reflect that,” she said. “But I can’t get into training because my brain doesn’t work exactly the way the healthcare system expects it to. It feels like the system sees supporting me as too difficult or inconvenient.”

The survey also highlighted a culture of exclusion and stigma. Thirty-four percent of respondents reported experiencing bullying or harassment related to their disability or neurodivergence, and 78 percent said they feared being treated unfairly if they disclosed their condition. Many respondents described being forced to use annual leave for medical appointments, with 50 percent reporting this issue. Additionally, 43 percent said they had paid out of pocket for reasonable adjustments at work or study.

Dr Amit Kochhar, chair of the BMA’s Representative Body, expressed concern over the findings, noting that only 34 percent of those who disclosed their disability received improved support. He warned that the profession risks losing valuable talent unless meaningful changes are made.

“Disabled doctors and medical students are present at every level of the profession, contributing as valued and vital members of the medical workforce,” said Dr Kochhar. “Providing appropriate support is not only the right thing to do—it’s essential.”

The survey also found that 42 percent of respondents had been subject to performance management due to disability-related absences, and the same proportion felt their workplace lacked a culture of inclusion. These figures underscore the urgent need for reform, particularly in how institutions handle reasonable adjustments and support mechanisms.

The BMA is currently working with stakeholders to address the issues raised and will publish a full report with recommendations later this year. In the meantime, the association is urging medical schools and employers to begin conversations with disabled and neurodivergent staff and students to foster more inclusive environments.

Dr Gatenby summed up the emotional toll of the current system: “The stress and exhaustion from constantly having to fight for reasonable adjustments is exactly what triggers my seizures. I’m stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

The BMA maintains that disability should never be a barrier to becoming a successful doctor. However, the survey’s findings suggest that without significant cultural and structural change, many capable professionals will continue to be pushed out of the field.

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