Neurodiversity awareness, attitudes, workplace barriers and training needs across UK oral and maxillofacial surgery and allied specialties: a tri-specialty national mixed-methods survey

AI Summary

Clinical encounter frequency is the primary predictor of confidence recognising neurodivergent patients and supporting colleagues (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004).
Only 38% reported formal neurodiversity training, which did not increase confidence (p = 0.463); recommend structured exposure and strength-based training.
Autism and ADHD seen as well understood (69% and 68%), whereas acquired neurodiversity understood by only 8%; lack of colleague awareness common workplace barrier.

TL;DR (AI Generated)

This study characterised the awareness, predictors of clinical confidence, workplace barriers and training needs across oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) and related specialties.

This is a national mixed-methods study utilising a cross-sectional anonymised online questionnaire that was distributed to members of the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS), British and Irish Society of Oral Medicine (BISOM) and British Association of Oral Surgeons (BAOS) membership.

Frequency of patient encounters was the sole significant predictor of confidence in recognising neurodivergent patients (p < 0.001), and significant predictors for confidence in supporting colleagues were encounter frequency (p = 0.004) and belief that neurodivergent clinicians bring valuable strengths (p = 0.017).

Basic summary

Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2026 Aug 28:S0266-4356(26)00209-3. doi: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2026.07.006. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Approximately one in five individuals is neurodivergent. This can create challenges in clinical practice for patients and for neurodivergent clinicians. This study characterised the awareness, predictors of clinical confidence, workplace barriers and training needs across oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) and related specialties. This is a national mixed-methods study utilising a cross-sectional anonymised online questionnaire that was distributed to members of the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS), British and Irish Society of Oral Medicine (BISOM) and British Association of Oral Surgeons (BAOS) membership. It was analysed in jamovi and JASP, and included independent evaluation data from a national neurodiversity awareness webinar. A total of 134 responses (OMFS n = 82, BISOM and BAOS n = 52) were received. ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and autism were the most commonly felt to be well understood, with scores of 69% and 68%, respectively. Acquired neurodiversity (secondary to trauma, illness, or injury) was understood by 8% of respondents. Frequency of patient encounters was the sole significant predictor of confidence in recognising neurodivergent patients (p < 0.001), and significant predictors for confidence in supporting colleagues were encounter frequency (p = 0.004) and belief that neurodivergent clinicians bring valuable strengths (p = 0.017). Specialty independently predicted a desire for further training (p = 0.023). A total of 38% of respondents had received formal training, but this was not associated with higher confidence (p = 0.463). A thematic analysis of 96 free-text responses identified six workplace barrier themes, which were most prevalently a lack of colleague awareness (29%). Evaluation of the webinar feedback demonstrated a near-universal impact on education. Clinical encounter frequency drives confidence in interactions with neurodivergent patients and colleagues; strength-based attitudes independently predicted confidence in supporting colleagues. Training redesigned around structured exposure and strength-based framing, alongside a BAOMS neurodiversity working group, is recommended.

PMID:42875253 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjoms.2026.07.006

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