Counselling skills in genomics for health care professionals

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Explain the importance and application of consent in the field of genomic medicine.
• Evaluate and discuss the theory that underpins counselling and demonstrate counselling and communication skills.
• Discuss the consequences of genomic test results for the patient and the wider family , drawing on the published evidence base and personal experiences of patients, carers and the wider family.
• Explain genomic results in terms of diagnostic prediction and uncertainty.
• Discuss and critically evaluate current and potential future ethical, legal and social issues of genome testing and whole genome sequencing.
• Describe and demonstrate communication skills to engage and communicate effectively with the individual, the family, health care professionals and the wider public.
• Explain the range of mainstream care pathways used to test for inherited and acquired disorders and evaluate their effectiveness including how they support clinical decision making.
• Explain the different purposes of genomic testing in patients with rare inherited diseases and cancer.

In depth understanding of Counselling and Communication skills as applied to clinical genomics practice to include:

• Communication and counselling skills
• Consent and what it means in relation to genomic testing
• Ethical and social implications of genomic testing
• How to record and interpret a family history, recognising what is or may be relevant
• How to verify personal and family history information; consent, confidentiality, access to records
• Different purposes of genomic testing
• Approaches to prenatal testing, pre-implantation testing and pre-conception carrier screening in relation to new technologies
• Strategies of approach to lifelong patient management of whole genome information
• Managing and explaining complex genome results
• Sources for patient support: patient support groups, on-line resources, other resources

The module will comprise a one week block of intensive on-site teaching. The module is highly interactive and due to material discussed recordings will not be available of interactive sessions; as such it is key to attend in person teaching to successfully complete the module.

A variety of learning and teaching methods will be adopted to promote a wide range of skills and meet the differing learning styles of the group.

The on-site teaching will include seminars, practical demonstrations, discussions and exercises surrounding interpretation of data and clinical scenarios, and specialist lectures given by a range of academic and health care professionals. This will ensure a breadth and depth of perspective, giving a good balance between background theories and principles and practical experience.

Given the group nature of much of the teaching, there is a minimum cohort size of six students. In the case of insufficient student numbers, this module may not run. If this is the case we will let you know as soon as possible and support you to identify alternative modules.

Off-site independent learning will take place on the virtual learning environment hosted by the UoS.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.