Ableism in the healthcare professions

Objective(s): To systematically explore the experiences and impact of workplace discrimination and ableism among healthcare providers and trainees with disabilities.Data Sources: Systematic searches of seven databases (Ovid Medline, Embase, Healthstar, PsychInfo, Scopus, CINAHL and Web of Science) were conducted.Study Selection: Inclusion criteria involved: a sample of healthcare providers or trainees with a disability, an empirical study with an outcome related to discrimination or ableism, published in a peer-reviewed journal from 2000-2021 (without language restrictions). Five reviewers independently applied the inclusion criteria and rated the study quality.Data Extraction: Data were extracted by the first author using a standardized template that aligned with our research objective. Four additional authors reviewed the data table for accuracy.Data Synthesis: Studies were analyzed following the guidelines for narrative synthesis. Forty-eight studies met our inclusion criteria, representing 13,815 participants across six countries over a 21-year period. The findings highlighted rates and types of workplace ableism, which occurred at the institutional (i.e., inaccessible environments, physical barriers and unsupportive work environments) and individual-level (i.e., negative attitudes, bullying, harassment). The impact of ableism on healthcare providers included difficulty disclosing their condition due to fear of stigma, and effects on well-being and career development.

Conclusions: Our findings revealed a critical need for more research on the experiences of ableism amongst healthcare providers and the impact it has on their well-being. Further efforts should explore mechanisms for including and welcoming people with disabilities in healthcare professions.Author(s) Disclosures: none