Understanding well-being and help-seeking among doctors of the global majority

Aims and Objectives: It is widely documented that working in healthcare disproportionately affects doctors from underrepresented ethnic groups, which can impact doctors’ well-being. This review aimed to identify, evaluate, and synthesise the recent literature on the well-being of doctors of the Global Majority, across settings, specifically about their experiences of stress, depression, and anxiety.

Method: Five databases (PubMed, MedLine, ERIC, PsychInfo, Web of Science) were systematically searched for relevant studies. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. A mixed-method narrative review of two qualitative and eight quantitative papers was completed.

Results: The identified studies differed in sample, design, methodology, and outcomes measured. There were mixed findings about the variation in experiences of stress, anxiety, and depression, among trainee and qualified doctors of the Global Majority.

Conclusion: The results showed that it is difficult to draw conclusions about the experiences of well-being among doctors of the Global Majority, due to the quality, heterogeneity, and mixed-method nature of the studies. Further research in this area is required to clarify the relationship between ethnicity and experiences of stress, anxiety, and depression among doctors of the Global Majority.