PERSONAL LEARNING ZONE

Summary:

FEATURED ARTICLE

This issue of Occupational Health [at Work] features a Personal Learning Zone (PLZ) article recommended for continuing professional development (CPD). The assignment questions, ‘Personal learning statement’ and ‘Certificate of engagement’ are available to subscribers at here. These will also be stored in your password-protected PLZ. The PLZ will help you document your own CPD. Occupational health physicians and nurses, occupational hygienists and other professionals can use the resource in support of their specialism’s revalidation or CPD requirements

Pages 18-24 Long COVID and its implications at work. The number of COVID-19 cases in the UK has exceeded 3.4 million and an estimated 10% of adults testing positive for the disease will have symptoms lasting more than 12 weeks. Symptoms include fatigue as well as respiratory, neurological and cardiovascular problems. OH professionals may need to advise employers and employees of the implications of ‘long COVID’ for return to, and fitness for, work.

ADDITIONAL CPD 

The following articles, news and research items are suggested reading for CPD and professional revalidation. Subscribers can complete their online Personal Learning Zone CPD record at here 

Page 6. Obesity discrimination and stigmatisation can impact on an employee’s health, pay and career. Employers are advised to examine their policies on equality, diversity and inclusion to ensure that obesity and overweight are included.

Page 11–13. In R (Independent Workers of Great Britain) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, the High Court holds that all ‘workers’ – not just employees – should be protected by health and safety legislation.

Pages 14–17. Understanding the science behind positive psychology can help OH professionals make meaningful changes to workplace wellbeing.

Pages 25–31.OH professionals should ensure that employers are adequately prepared to respond to, recover from and mitigate public health emergencies at work.

Pages 36–38.Can an employee at low risk of COVID-19 consequences refuse to return to the workplace, and insist on working from home, because they live with a clinically vulnerable individual? And can healthcare workers refuse a COVID-19 vaccine? Read this article for the answers.

Pages 39–42.Our compendium of recent research includes an analysis of COVID-19 lateral flow test accuracy, a systematic review of COVID-19 air contamination in hospital settings and a Cochrane review of interventions to reduce depression-related sickness absence.

 

Author: The At Work Partnership Ltd

Occupational Health at Work February/March 2021 (vol. 17/5) pp43

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