Autistic traits among doctors seeking mental health support

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Fourteen percent of doctors accessing NHS Practitioner Health screened positive for autism on the AQ-10.
Positive screening associated with male sex, age 22 to 29, and working in psychiatry; those screening positive had higher odds of ADHD.
Findings emphasise recognising neurodevelopmental differences to adapt assessments and interventions for a neurodivergent medical workforce.

Occup Med (Lond). 2026 Nov 14:kqag128. doi: 10.1093/occmed/kqag128. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Neurodevelopmental differences are increasingly recognised in understanding mental health difficulties. However, autism among doctors experiencing mental health problems remains underexplored.

AIMS: To assess the prevalence of screening positive for autism among doctors seeking mental health support and examine associations with demographic characteristics, medical speciality, co-occurring mental health difficulties, and neurodevelopmental differences.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of self-reported data from doctors accessing National Health Service Practitioner Health between April and July 2024. The Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ-10) screened for autism alongside validated measures of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), psychological distress (CORE-10), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (ASRS-6). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations with demographic, clinical, and speciality variables.

RESULTS: Of the 946 doctors included, 14% screened positive for autism using the AQ-10. Positive screening was associated with male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 1.71, confidence interval [CI]: 1.14, 2.55), age 22-29 (OR: 1.87, CI: 1.06, 3.30), and working in psychiatry (OR: 2.22, CI: 1.07, 4.63). No other specialty was significantly associated with screening positive for autism. Those who screened positive for autism had significantly higher odds of also screening positive for ADHD (OR 2.22, CI: 1.50, 3.28).

CONCLUSIONS: Nearly one in seven doctors screening positive for autism highlights the need for considering the role of neurodevelopmental differences in this professional group. This may help to adapt assessments and interventions to accommodate the neurodivergent needs of the workforce.

PMID:43034050 | DOI:10.1093/occmed/kqag128

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