Genomics and Counselling Skills
Patient-facing healthcare professionals who are keen to develop their knowledge and understanding of genomics to better support their patients can apply to join this popular introductory online course by the University of the West of England (UWE).
The potential impact of genomic medicine in health is increasingly well recognised; consequently, so is the importance of genomics education and training for the healthcare workforce. As such, UWE Bristol – in collaboration with Macmillan Cancer Support, Genomics England, the British Heart Foundation, the Genomics Education Programme and a range of NHS genomic specialists – has created this online course.
Information on how eligible healthcare professionals can apply for funding to cover the course’s costs may be found in the ‘Funding’ tab, below.
Update: Applications have now opened for the 2024 cohort. The deadline to apply is 5pm on Monday 20 May 2024.
Description
This course has been developed for healthcare professionals with little-to-no previous knowledge of genomics. Interest, enthusiasm and completion of pre-course learning materials will enable you to excel in the course, even if you are unfamiliar with this area of healthcare.
Course content
The main aim of this course is to provide you with an introduction to genomics, human genetics and genetic variation in the areas of cancer, rare genetic conditions and infectious disease. By the end of it, you will have increased your understanding of the science and will be able to confidently facilitate genomics-related conversations with your colleagues and patients. The course has extensive support from genetic counsellors as well as clinical and laboratory professionals, who will provide access to relevant teaching materials and clinical case studies.
This course is delivered via a blended learning model, and includes the five core units of:
Applications of genomics in infectious diseases will be covered in online discussion forums as well.
Flexible online learning
To accommodate clinical commitments, all lectures are pre-recorded and available online. Participants are supported by weekly online live tutorials with the expectation that these are attended. You can expect to spend six to eight hours per week engaging with the course’s content.
Teaching is delivered via the Blackboard virtual learning environment, with live sessions via Microsoft Teams. Assessment of your knowledge and skills are through the creation of information leaflets for patients and their families as well as group presentations.
Contact details
If you have any questions about the course, please contact us for more information.
Testimonials
What have learners on the course said?
“Such a good and helpful course. I have really learnt quite a lot.”
“I came into the course feeling like I knew next to nothing about genomics, and I was very daunted by the subject. But once I was at the other end of the course, I was surprised by how much more confident I was talking genomics.”
“Amazing course run by the most amazing tutorial support.”
“I have increased my genomic literacy and gained greater confidence in talking genomics with colleagues, patients and their families. I would strongly advocate this module to all nursing and healthcare professional colleagues.”
“This is the best supported course I have been on.”
“Really appreciate the access we have to these professionals and the level of understanding they exude really makes the subject interesting and engaging.”
“It has given me more confidence in myself and my abilities.”
“Since doing this [course] I have taken on a secondment about implementing the Lynch syndrome pathway at our Trust.”
“It has been an amazing opportunity doing this course, I am very grateful for all your support and thoughtfulness about the student experience.”
Funding
The Genomics Education Programme has funded a limited number of places to cover course fees only. This is limited to NHS healthcare professionals working in England on a permanent contract from the full range of patient-facing backgrounds, such as allied health professionals, nurses, GPs, midwives and health visitors.
FAQs
Between what dates does the course run?
The course runs from 9 September 2024 to February 2025.
When are the required-to-attend parts?
The dates and times students are required to be available are detailed in the ‘timetable’ tab. Seminars are live and all students are required to attend and participate in the discussions. Live sessions are always on a Friday. The first assessment date is either 17 or 24 January 2025, and the second date is 11 February 2025.
What is the weekly time commitment?
As a Master’s level 15-credit module, the average time commitment for individual study is 8 to 10 hours per week. All content – including pre-recorded sessions, live sessions, discussion boards and private study – has been designed to be delivered in that timeframe.
How will I be assessed?
Module assessment is undertaken via different methods throughout the course. There is no final exam. The marked aspect of the module includes the production of a patient information leaflet based on a genomic condition of your choice as well as a group presentation of an educational case study.
If I am successful in my GEP sponsorship application, what will be expected of me?
A signed learning agreement is required for all funded individuals. It is important that all commitments of the course can be adhered to prior to application and commencement of the module.
