Further information

Course glossary

Aim

An aim in educational terms, is a brief statement of intent, indicating the scope and range of intended learning outcomes that the educational episode has been structured to address.

Assessment

Assessment is the term used to indicate an appraisal of students' performance. Typical formal assessments in medicine include written examinations, Multiple choice questionnaires (MCQ), observations of clinical or communication skills, Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) and Multi-Source Feedback (MSF). Assessments may be summative (where the marks gained contribute to a formal grade or award) or formative (where the focus is on providing feedback for ongoing development).

Class

Class refers to hierarchical differences between individuals or groups in societies or cultures . Factors that determine class may vary widely from one society to another. However, economic disadvantage and barriers to access servces are major issues within class discrimination.

Disability

The definition of disability outlined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 covers anyone with an impairment which has a substantial and long-term (at least 12 months) effect on their ability to carry out day-to-day activities such as mobility, speech, hearing or eyesight, memory or ability to concentrate, learning or understand, continence. The definition also includes long-term illnesses such as HIV, cancer and multiple sclerosis, from the point of diagnosis.

Discrimination

Direct discrimination - Direct discrimination is less favourable treatment on the grounds of someone’s social identity. If the treatment results in an adverse impact and cannot be justified. Indirect Discrimination - Indirect discrimination is when a rule, condition or requirement is applied to everyone but some people find this more difficult to fulfil. The rule, condition or requirement causes an adverse impact and cannot be justified.

Diversity

Diversity literally means difference. When it is used as a contrast or addition to equality, it is about recognising individual as well as group differences, treating people as individuals, and placing positive value on diversity in the community and in the workforce. Historically, employers and services have ignored certain differences.

Equality

Equality is about ‘creating a fairer society, where everyone can participate and has the opportunity to fulfil their potential’ (DH 2004). It is about identifying patterns of experience based on group identity, and the challenging processes which limit individuals “potential” health and life chances. An equalities approach understands that our social identity – in terms of gender, race, disability, age, social class, sexuality and religion – will impact on our life experiences.

Genuine Occupational Qualification

If an employer requires a person of a specific gender or race / ethnic identity for personal services or ‘authenticity’, they can request a Genuine Occupational Qualification (GOQ) from the Equal Opportunities Commission or the Commission for Racial Equality.

Harassment

Harassment occurs if A’s conduct has the purpose or effect of violating B’s dignity or of creating an offensive environment – one that is intimidating, hostile, degrading or humiliating.

Positive Action

In the areas of training, recruitment, and membership of organisations such as trade unions, if a gender or racial group has been under-represented in the previous 12 months, employers can: • Offer selective training programmes; • Advertise to encourage applications; • Train staff responsible for selection. This is positive action. Offering someone a job or promotion on the basis of their gender or race is positive discrimination and is illegal. Quotas (as opposed to targets) are also illegal.

Prejudice

Prejudice ('prejudging') describes the feelings that individuals have about other individuals or groups, feelings that are often unfounded and based on stereotypes. We all have prejudices based on our own experiences and indirect experience e.g. through the mass media, but usually learn to overcome these feelings, or at least control how we behave with others and what we say. Discrimination can be seen as 'prejudice put into practice', where people let their prejudices affect what they say about and how they behave towards others.

Racial groups

A racial group is a group of people defined by their race, colour, nationality (including citizenship), ethnicity or national origins.

Reasonable adjustment

Reasonable adjustments are steps which an employer/service provider may have to take in relation to a disabled person in order to comply with the Act. For example: • Making adjustments to premises • Allocating some of the disabled person’s duties to another person • Altering their working hours • Allowing them to be absent during working hours for rehabilitation, assessment or treatment • Acquiring or modifying equipment • Modifying instructions or reference manuals • Modifying procedures for testing or assessment • Providing a reader or interpreter

Sexuality

This term refers to the general preference of people. It is an alternative term for 'sexual orientation' and is the term currently used.

Victimisation

Victimisation arises where a person treats another less favourably because that person has asserted their rights under the SDA or RRA; if, for example, that person has brought proceedings, or given evidence or information in connection with proceedings, under either Act.