Healthcare professional disclosure of mental illness in the workplace: a rapid scoping review

Abstract

Background

Although mental health difficulties are common among healthcare professionals (HCP), little research exists exploring the decision to disclose these difficulties in the healthcare context.

Aims

This rapid scoping review aims to explore HCP disclosure of mental health difficulties in the workplace.

Methods

The methodological framework was based on rapid and scoping review guidelines. A thematic synthesis approach was used for data analysis.

Results

Seventeen articles were included. Disclosure was found to be a process that starts with weighing its pros (“personal benefits”, “personal beliefs”, and “professional responsibility”) and cons (“fears related to professional identity”, “fears related to employment”, “risk of stigmatization”, and “personal experiences with mental health difficulties”). A decision-making process then occurs to help HCPs figure out how to disclose. Situations of nonconsensual disclosure can transpire through “third party disclosure” or “inadvertent disclosure”. Disclosure results in outcomes including “positive experiences”, “negative personal consequences” and “negative consequences related to others”.

Conclusion

Disclosure in healthcare and other workplaces is a complex process with few benefits and many potential repercussions. However, there is an opportunity to improve. Recognizing the value of and educating the workforce about HCPs with mental health difficulties will help work environments become safer for disclosure.

Keywords:

• Disclosure
• stigma
• healthcare professionals

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Francesca Frati for her support throughout search strategy development. Work by the first author was supported by the Ordre des infimières et infirmiers du Québec, the Quebec Network on Nursing Intervention Research, and the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).