Experiences of dyslexia in GP training in the UK: a qualitative study

Background Dyslexia is a neurodevelopmental learning difficulty that affects the acquisition of reading and spelling. Dyslexic medical residents can experience difficulties with assessments and workload, although reasonable adjustments are helpful. Nonetheless, there is limited evidence regarding the experiences of dyslexia within family medicine/general practice (GP) training.

Aim To explore the experiences of dyslexia in GP training in the UK, and identify adaptive strategies to improve training experiences.

Design & setting This was a qualitative study comprising detailed semi-structured, one-to-one interviews. Participants were dyslexic GPs or residents, or educators of dyslexic GP residents, within UK training programmes.

Method Interviews were conducted online, recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was undertaken of the data.

Results There were 26 participants with five themes identified. Getting support could be protracted, due to lack of awareness, stigma and attitudes. Furthermore, there were different challenges faced by dyslexic doctors, within hospital medicine and general practice settings. Dyslexia also informed the career progression of dyslexic doctors, including after completion of GP training. Moreover, adaptive strategies could enhance performance in GP training assessments. Likewise, workplace adjustments could improve the experiences of dyslexic doctors in general practice.

Conclusion Further training regarding dyslexia is required for GP residents and educators. Programmes should foster a positive, inclusive culture. Adaptive strategies can be employed within primary care to improve experiences. Moreover, creating a toolkit for dyslexia in GP training can be beneficial for residents and educators, with further research also warranted to explore dyslexia within international medical graduates.