Work streams

Who is involved?

· Anita Laidlaw, Bayram Yilmaz, Ergun Kara, Iain Atherton, Joanne Cecil

Outline:

This component of the project uses large-scale administrative data to examine, at a population level, how the careers of disabled doctors compare with those of doctors without disabilities across the full medical training pathway in the UK.

To achieve this, we are analysing linked records from the UK Medical Education Database (UKMED) — a unique national resource that brings together data from medical school entry through to specialty training completion. Our dataset covers approximately 128,000 doctors who qualified from 2011 onwards, of whom around 12,000 have a recorded disability. By following individuals over time, we are able to examine career progression at each key transition point: entry to medical school, completion of the Foundation Programme, entry to specialty training, progress through annual reviews, and attainment of the Certificate of Completion of Training.

Our analyses will identify where, and for whom, disability-related disparities in career progression are most pronounced. We will examine whether these disparities differ by disability type, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic background — and whether they have changed over time, including during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We will also examine burnout trajectories and Fitness to Practise referral rates as additional indicators of career adversity.

Data access is through the Health Informatics Centre (HIC) Trusted Research Environment at the University of Dundee, a secure analytical environment that ensures all work is conducted in accordance with data governance and patient confidentiality requirements. Analysis is expected to begin in May 2026.

Who is involved?

· Anita Laidlaw, Caroline Bonner, Damla Harmanci, Grainne Kearney, Kathrine Gibson Smith

Outline:

· This component of the project aims to generate a comprehensive understanding of the work, career progression and related experiences of doctors with disabilities working within the National Health Service (NHS).

· To achieve this, we will interview disabled doctors employed in training positions within the NHS across the United Kingdom. In addition, a subset of participants will take part in workplace observations to help us understand their work within the context of their working environments.

We will also interview a range of professionals who work with or are positioned to support doctors with disabilities, such as colleagues, educational supervisors and training programme directors. Throughout the study, we will identify and analyse relevant documents (e.g., forms, guidelines, reports, policies, protocols and legislation) that shape workplace practices within the NHS. Together, these activities will allow us to identify and map system-level processes that enable or hinder the work and career progression of disabled doctors.

· We have received ethical approval as of April 2026 and recruitment of doctors to online interviews is currently live. Eligible participants will:

o self-identify as having a disability/being disabled, neurodivergent or living with a physical or mental health condition.

o be a doctor employed by the NHS in Foundation, GP or Specialty training.

· Recruitment of peers and colleagues will begin later in 2026.

Who is involved?

· Anita Laidlaw, Bayram Yilmaz, Caroline Bonner, Damla Harmanci, Ergun Kara, Grainne Kearney, Iain Atherton, Joanne Cecil, Kathrine Gibson Smith, Advisory Board members, Oversight Committee members

Outline:

· Research provides the evidence base that informs how health and care systems are designed and delivered. It is therefore important that diverse voices and perspectives are included in the research that generates this evidence. Public and stakeholder involvement helps ensure that research activities are planned, conducted and shared in ways that accurately reflect and address real‑world challenges.

· Our Advisory Boards support the project throughout its duration, drawing on the expertise and lived experience of their members, who include medical students and doctors with disabilities, members of the public and professional stakeholders (e.g., colleagues from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, NHS Employers, British Medical Association). The Boards have met during the early stages of the project and will continue to meet three times a year as the work progresses, helping to shape priorities and key decisions.

· An independent Oversight Committee has been established to provide expert oversight and ensure the timely and responsible progress of the project. The Committee consists of four members and will meet annually for the duration of the project, overseeing all elements of the wider work. A progress report is submitted to the Committee twice a year to ensure transparency and accountability.

· A knowledge exchange event will be held towards the end of the project to support co‑production and facilitate dialogue between researchers, stakeholders and policymakers. The event will provide an opportunity for in‑person discussion focused on evidence-based best practice for supporting the career progression of disabled doctors within the NHS.