Life Long Learning and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) are the processes by which professionals, such as nurses, develop and improve their practice.
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There are many ways to address CPD: formally, through attending courses, study days and workshops; or informally, through private study and reflection. Reading articles in professional journals is a good way of keeping up-to-date with what is going on in the field of practice, but reflecting and id entifying what you have learned is not always easy.
These questions are designed to help you to identify what you have learned from studying the article. They will also help you to clarify what you can apply to practice, what you did not understand and what you need to explore further.
1. What strategies often hide the effects of dyslexia without modifying the nature of the disability?
a) Communication
b) Confidential
c) Compensatory
d) Consultation
2. Which of the following two famous people have dyslexia?
a) Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy
b) Albert Einstein and Lynda La Plante
c) Stephen Hawkins and Buzz Aldrin
d) John Lennon and Paul McCartney
3. Dyslexia is:
a) An individual difference in
cognitive style
b) A defect
c) A congenital abnormality
d) A learning difficulty
4. Since when has dyslexia been commonly recognised?
a) 1950s
b) 1960s
c) 1970s
d) 1980s
5. Which of the following would be an unsuitable job for someone with dyslexia?
a) Nursing
b) Teacher
c) Personnel officer
d) Air traffic controller
6. In the case study, why was John referred to OH?
a) Following an accident at work
b) Because he was accident prone
c) Repeated short-term sickness absence
d) Return to work after long-term absence
7. Which of the following is not background history in John’s case?
a) Family history
b) Previous employment history
c) Working relationships
d) Medical and health history
8. What aspect of John’s work did he find most difficult?
a) Keyboard skills
b) Reading from the monitor
c) Data entry tasks
d) Reading e-mails
9. What tests were undertaken for John?
a) Urinalysis
b) Full blood count
c) Personality
d) Eye sight
10. Which of the following legislation is NOT relevant in John’s case?
a) Disability Discrimination Act
b) Health and Safety at Work Act
c) RIDDOR
d) DSE Regs
Answers & Feedback
1) c – Think about anyone you have known with dyslexia and consider if there were any compensatory measures they used.
2) b – At least as far as we know, the other names listed here do not have dyslexia
3) a – Explore some of the resources (see page 29) for more information about dyslexia, or carry out a literature search for recent research/information.
4) c
5) d – Discuss with your colleagues, or supervisor/mentor, what jobs you are involved with both in your own profession and/or place of work that might be difficult for someone with dyslexia, and relate this to the requirements of the DDA.
6) c – This is a reasonable request from HR. However, how involved should OH be with dyslexia? Do you believe it is for OH to deal with or should it be HR? Discuss this with your colleagues or supervisor.
7) a
8) c
9) d – Does it surprise you that John did not know about these tests? How was the employer falling down? If this had come to the attention of the HSE, who would have been at fault? Is everyone in your organisation aware of their rights under the DSE Regulations?
10) c – Three significant pieces of legislation that the employer and HR should have been aware of and have had policies in place to deal with. How can you help HR fulfil its role?
