Study title: Exploring the learning experience of neurodivergent doctors

Dr Sarah Bassiony - saesb2@cam.ac.uk                                    

Haematology Resident Doctor (ST7)                                            MSt Student in Medical Education

Dr Suhail Tarafdar    - Suhail.tarafdar@nhs.net                

General Practitioner                                                                Training Programme Director                                                Clinical Associate Professor

This is a qualitative research study designed by the principal Investigator Dr Bassiony, as part of her masters in medication educator that she is undertaking with PACE (professional and continuing education) with the University of Cambridge. 

The focus is on the experiences of neurodivergent doctors.

I want to explore these areas;
- Exploring their learning experiences within haematology
- Identifying factors that improve learning of haemtology
- Identify factors that hinder learning of haematology 

I hope that my research can inspire others to do more research; 
- that will explore experiences of neurodivergent doctors across different specialities
- that will develop educational tools and/or strategies to enhance the learning experiences for neurodivergent doctors  

You may be eligible to take part if you:

• Are a doctor working in the UK

• Have received a diagnosis of ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette's syndrome or another form of neurodivergence

• Have experience caring for, interacting with, or learning from haematology patients within a clinical setting

Experience with haematology patients may have been gained through a haematology placement, but this is not required. For example, you may have encountered haematology patients while working in another specialty or through liaising with haematology services as part of your clinical role.

You are also welcome to share information about this study with other doctors who may be eligible and interested in taking part.

1. Participant informaiton sheet: reading this page that outlines information about the study. 

2. Expression of Interest form : Complete this short form to help decide if you are eligible for the study. 

3. Consent form: If you are invited to take part, you will be asked to sign a consent form that checks your understanding of the participant information sheet

4. Interview: Attend a one-to-one online interview with Dr Sarah Bassiony which will last between 30 - 90 minutes. You will receive a copy of the topic guide at least 48 hours before the interview if you would like to familiarise yourself with the topics that will be discussed. However, no preparation is required. You are welcome to skip any questions you would prefer not to answer.

You are allowed to change your mind. 

There is a 72 hour 'cooling off' period after your interview is complete. So if for whatever reason, or for no reason at all, you change your mind, email the Principal Investigator and all of your data will be permanently deleted. You will not be treated negatively for withdrawing, nor do you need to give a reason for withdrawing. 

After 72 hours, your interview transcript will be anonymised and can no longer be linked to you. For this reason, it will no longer be possible to remove your data from the study.

Confidentiality - your data security is important to us, and any information you provide will be strictly confidential. The principal investigator is the only individual carrying out the interviews, will be the only individual who is aware of who has taken part in the study. 

Sharing Data - The interviews will be recorded and transcribed (using Microsoft Teams). At this point, the principal investigator will manually remove any identifiable information (such as your name, age or place of work) from the transcripts. What is shared in the interviews can be shared anonymously with the project supervisor, or as part of the master’s thesis or publication(s).

Storing Data - All data will be stored securely within the NHS OneDrive server with a back up on a password-protected secure external hard drive stored in a password protected area, that only the project lead can access.

Duration - All data will be kept for a minimum of two years after the study is completed, and if further research is occurring in this field, the anonymised data may be shared anonymously with research colleagues. If at 5 years, no further research is being conducted, then all data will be permanently destroyed.

‘General information about how the University uses personal data can be found here https://www.information-compliance.admin.cam.ac.uk/data-protection/research-participant-data

The findings from this study will be used as part of a Master's dissertation in medical education.  

The results may also be presented at conferences, published in academic journals, or used in future research publications. Any information used in presentations or publications will be anonymised and no participants will be identifiable.

If you would like a summary of the study findings, you will be able to request this by contacting the principal investigator. 

There are no financial rewards for taking part in this study.

Taking part may provide an opportunity to:

• Reflect on your learning experiences

• Share your perspectives and personal experiences

• Contribute to a better understanding of the learning experiences of neurodivergent doctors within clinical environments

• Contribute to an emerging area of research that may stimulate further research into making learning more inclusive for neurodivergent doctors

Whilst there is no physical harm associated with taking part in this study, it is recognised that sharing and reflecting on personal experiences may feel uncomfortable or distressing and may bring up difficult thoughts or feelings, either during the interview or afterwards.

You do not have to answer any questions you would prefer not to answer, and you are free to pause or stop the interview at any time.

Dr Sarah Bassiony is a doctor and will follow a distress protocol should you become distressed during the interview. All participants will be signposted to Information and support services. 

This study has undergone ethical review by the Cambridge Psychology Research Ethics Committee.

This study is not receiving any funding. 

This research is being conducted independently as part of a Master's in Medical Education through the University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) programme. 

Study questions or concerns
Dr Sarah Bassiony
saesb2@cam.ac.uk

Alternative contact
Dr Suhail Tarafdar
Suhail.tarafdar@nhs.net

Formal complaints
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
imperial.pals@nhs.net
020 3312 7777