‘Urgent need’ to address barriers faced by autistic students on clinical placements

Nursing and midwifery students with autism face ‘significant barriers’ on clinical placements, research suggests, with an ‘urgent need’ for tailored support.

The Experiences of Autistic Healthcare Students in a Clinical Learning Environment: A Scoping Review explored what it is like to be an autistic student training in healthcare, particularly during clinical placements.

It found that students with autism face ‘significant barriers’ in environments that are not designed with neurodivergent needs in mind.

Related Article: Lyme disease: what nurses need to know

Many students reported a fear of discrimination, sensory overwhelm and feeling isolated. The researchers said the findings pointed to a need for systemic change in healthcare education to foster environments that are accessible and neurodiversity-affirming.

Lead researcher, Emilie Edwards, an autistic midwife and academic, said she wanted to challenge deficit-based narratives and contribute to a more inclusive understanding of autism within healthcare education.

The study used a scoping review to research the question: ‘What are the experiences of autistic healthcare students in a clinical learning environment?’

Six studies published between 2022 and 2024 were reviewed, all of which explored the experiences of healthcare students in the UK.

Researchers found that healthcare students with autism brought many strengths to caring roles, such as empathy, deep learning and clinical performance.

However, the study said these strengths are ‘frequently overshadowed by social difficulties and stigma’ due to ‘negative experiences with peers and supervisors’.

Related Article: Specialist children’s nursing workforce ‘under intense pressure’

The study also indicated that autistic students often struggle to disclose their diagnosis because of a fear of discrimination based on past experiences and concern about stigma. Citing a 2023 study ‘The Experiences of Autistic Medical Students’, the researchers said 72% of autistic medical students who were aware of their diagnosis at entry chose not to disclose it.

Sensory issues during clinical placements were also identified, with some students reporting that placements could be ‘overwhelming’.

Students also reported feeling excluded and ‘often feel compelled to mask their traits in clinical settings to fit in or make a good impression’.

The study concluded that the need for tailored support in clinical placements is ‘urgent’.

Related Article: Over one million switched to combined asthma inhalers since NICE update

It called for better training for educators and supervisors, more awareness of autism and ‘practical changes to help autistic students thrive’.

The study also said that more research is needed to fully understand and support this group of students.