Dr Joanne Cecil joins national effort to break down barriers for doctors with disabilities
School of Medicine Lecturer Dr Joanne Cecil will contribute her expertise to an £800,000 research project aimed at tackling career barriers faced by doctors with disabilities.
Led by the University of Aberdeen’s Centre for Healthcare Education Research and Innovation (CHERI) and generously funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the study brings together researchers from St Andrews, Edinburgh Napier University, Queen’s University Belfast, and the Disabled Doctors Network.
Research conducted by the General Medical Council has shown that doctors with disabilities remain underrepresented in the NHS and often face discrimination, bullying, and limited career progression. This project will explore these challenges in depth and co-design practical solutions to create fairer, more inclusive career pathways for physicians.
The research team will analyse existing policies, conduct interviews and workplace observations, and work closely with stakeholders to develop evidence-based recommendations that support long-term career development.
“This research is vital to understanding and addressing the systemic barriers that prevent doctors with disabilities from thriving in their careers,” says Dr Cecil. “By working collaboratively, we can ensure the NHS benefits from the skills and perspectives of all its professionals.”
The findings will be shared with doctors, patients, employers, and regulators to drive meaningful change across the healthcare system.
Read more about the study in the University of Aberdeen’s press release.