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Safe prescribing and dyslexia - July 2019.pdf (585.69 kB)

Safe and effective prescribing with dyslexia

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posted on 2023-06-09, 18:30 authored by Sebastian ShawSebastian Shaw, Laura R Hennessy, Michael OkorieMichael Okorie, John L Anderson
Background: The term ‘dyslexia’ refers to a condition that impacts upon reading and writing abilities whilst not altering intelligence. Individuals with dyslexia may have difficulties with the speed and accuracy and their reading and writing, amongst other issues. Dyslexia is not automatically considered a disability but is a protected characteristic under the UK Equality Act (2010), and therefore employers and educational institutions are required to provide ‘reasonable adjustments’ in order to allow individuals to reach their full potential. There is a lack of research on this issue, but what little there is suggests that doctors feel as though any support they received ended when they graduated from medical school. Main body: A core distinction between medical school and medical practice is the requirement to prescribe medicines as registered medical practitioners. Junior doctors have to master this complex and potentially hazardous skill “on the job”, with a perceived lack of support. Here, we open up a debate about the potential impact of dyslexia on prescribing, and the need to find supports that may be effective in enabling doctors with dyslexia prescribe medicines safely and effectively – and thus reach their full potential as medical practitioners and promote patient safety. Conclusion: We argue that medical schools and hospitals could immediately provide dyslexia awareness training in both undergraduate and postgraduate settings. We discuss electronic prescribing systems, and conclude that research is required to identify effective supports for junior doctors with dyslexia.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

BMC Medical Education

ISSN

1472-6920

Publisher

BioMed Central

Volume

19

Article number

a277

Department affiliated with

  • BSMS Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2019-07-26

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2019-07-26

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2019-07-26

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