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Working Beyond Capacity: a Qualitative Review of Research on Healthcare Providers’ Experiences with Autistic Individuals

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Abstract

Barriers to access and delivery of effective healthcare for autistic individuals have received attention in the social science literature. Less understood is why and how these barriers exist. The purpose of this qualitative review was to explore and interpret salient findings and characteristics of qualitative research that has examined the experiences of healthcare providers providing care to autistic individuals. A systematic information retrieval of electronic databases resulted in 15 qualitative research studies that met the inclusion criteria. Analysis of thematic findings and characteristics across studies was conducted, and a deeper interpretation highlighted an emphasis and reinforcement of the complexities of supporting autistic individuals in the healthcare context. Considerations are offered for diversifying and strengthening future research in this area.

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Funding

Funding was received through a UBC Institute of Mental Health Marshall Scholar Award and a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Doctoral Fellowship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, 2080 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z2, Canada

    Rae Morris

  2. UBC Institute of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, 2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2A1, Canada

    Rae Morris

  3. Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, 246 Bloor St West, Toronto, ON, M5S 1V4, Canada

    Andrea Greenblatt & Michael Saini

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Correspondence to Andrea Greenblatt.

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Morris, R., Greenblatt, A. & Saini, M. Working Beyond Capacity: a Qualitative Review of Research on Healthcare Providers’ Experiences with Autistic Individuals. Rev J Autism Dev Disord 10, 158–168 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-021-00283-6

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