A medical student with dyslexia is to take legal action in a bid to prevent the use of multiple choice exams as part of doctors' training.
A medical student with dyslexia is to take legal action in a bid to prevent the use of multiple choice exams as part of doctors' training.
Naomi Gadian, 21, claims the use of the tests discriminates against people with the condition and is challenging the General Medical Council to scrap them.
Naomi Gadian, 21, claims the use of the tests discriminates against people with the condition and is challenging the General Medical Council to scrap them.
The second year student hopes medical schools may have to drop the exams if she wins at an employment tribunal.
The second year student hopes medical schools may have to drop the exams if she wins at an employment tribunal.
The GMC says it has no powers to set medical examinations.
The GMC says it has no powers to set medical examinations.
Ms Gadian claims that, as a professional body which awards qualifications, the GMC is discriminating against her on the grounds of disability.
Ms Gadian claims that, as a professional body which awards qualifications, the GMC is discriminating against her on the grounds of disability.
She said: "In normal day life, you don't get given multiple choice questions to sit. Your patients aren't going to ask you 'here's an option and four answers. Which one is right?'"
She said: "In normal day life, you don't get given multiple choice questions to sit. Your patients aren't going to ask you 'here's an option and four answers. Which one is right?'"
Letter order
Letter order
If she wins and medical schools have to look at changing their testing systems, other trade bodies may have to follow suit, her solicitor John MacKenzie said.
If she wins and medical schools have to look at changing their testing systems, other trade bodies may have to follow suit, her solicitor John MacKenzie said.
He added: "Every professional body or employer who relies for a professional qualification, or as a promotional gateway, on multiple choice questions is heading for a fall."
He added: "Every professional body or employer who relies for a professional qualification, or as a promotional gateway, on multiple choice questions is heading for a fall."
Ms Gadian's university says it makes adjustments for those with dyslexia.
Ms Gadian's university says it makes adjustments for those with dyslexia.
Some 10% of the population has some form of dyslexia, which affects reading and spelling.
Some 10% of the population has some form of dyslexia, which affects reading and spelling.
Oxford University neuroscientist Professor John Stein, who has been studying dyslexia for 25 years, says poor eye co-ordination is at the root of the condition.
Oxford University neuroscientist Professor John Stein, who has been studying dyslexia for 25 years, says poor eye co-ordination is at the root of the condition.
He said: "Dyslexics confuse the order of letters because their eye control is not ideal."
He said: "Dyslexics confuse the order of letters because their eye control is not ideal."
Prof Stein added that dyslexics were disadvantaged at any exams, not just multiple choice, which is why they are often given extra time to complete their papers.
Prof Stein added that dyslexics were disadvantaged at any exams, not just multiple choice, which is why they are often given extra time to complete their papers.
Do you suffer from dyslexia? Do you believe multiple choice exams are discriminatory for people with this condition? Send you comments using the form below:
Do you suffer from dyslexia? Do you believe multiple choice exams are discriminatory for people with this condition? Send your comments using the form below:
