Genetic Counsellors: A Registration System to Assure Competence in Practice in the United Kingdom

Skirton, Heather; Kerzin-Storrar, Lauren; Patch, Christine; Barnes, Chris; Guilbert, P; Dolling, Claire; Kershaw, Ann; Baines, Elizabeth Murrow; Stirling, Dianne

doi:10.1159/000078167

Cited by 15 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…On this background, the US National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG) published the Core Competencies in Genetics Essential for All Health-Care Professionals, now in its 3rd edition (NCHPEG, 2007). Similar competencies have been also identified in the UK (Skirton et al, 2003) as well as the Applied & Translational Genomics 3 (2014) 128-129 ☆ Declaration: The authors declare herewith that the work described has not been published previously that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere, that its publication is approved by all authors and tacitly or explicitly by the responsible authorities where the work was carried out, and that, if accepted, it will not be published elsewhere including electronically in the same form, in English or in any other language, without the written consent of the copyright-holder. The authors declare no conflict of interest.…”

supporting

confidence: 73%

Challenges in global genomics education

Abrew

Dissanayake

Korf

2014

Applied & Translational Genomics

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supporting

confidence: 73%

Challenges in global genomics education

Abrew

Dissanayake

Korf

2014

Applied & Translational Genomics

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“…The agreed set of genetic competences have been aligned to the general statements of competence that are required of each practitioner before registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the statutory body responsible for standards of practice in nursing and midwifery. Although these apply to generalists, a different set of core competences 18 is the basis of the registration system for specialist genetic nurses and genetic counsellors in the United Kingdom. In addition, in the United Kingdom, a competence framework describing a set of nine genetic activities that may be carried out by non-genetics health-care staff has been developed by the NHS National Genetics Education and Development Centre, Skills for Health and by a wide range of health-care professionals (www.geneticseducation.nhs.uk).…”

Section: Existing Sets Of Core Competences In Geneticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic education and the challenge of genomic medicine: development of core competences to support preparation of health professionals in Europe

et al. 2010

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International audienceThe use of genetics and genomics within a wide range of health care settings requires health professionals to develop expertise in order to practise appropriately. There is a need for a common minimum standard of competence in genetics for health professionals in Europe but due to differences in professional education and regulation between European countries, setting curricula may not be practical. Core competences are used as a basis for health professional education in many fields and settings. An Expert Group working under the auspices of the EuroGentest project and European Society of Human Genetics Education Committee agreed that a pragmatic solution to the need to establish common standards for education and practice in genetic healthcare was to agree a set of core competences that could apply across Europe. These were agreed through an exhaustive process of consultation with relevant health professionals and patient groups. Sets of competences for practitioners working in primary, secondary and tertiary care have been agreed and were approved by the European Society of Human Genetics. The competences provide an appropriate framework for genetics education of health professionals across national boundaries and the suggested learning outcomes are available to guide development of curricula that are appropriate to the national context, educational system and healthcare setting of the professional involved. Collaboration between individuals from many European countries and professions has resulted in an adaptable framework for both pre-registration and continuing professional education. This competence framework has the potential to improve the quality of genetic healthcare for patients globally

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“…Where genetic healthcare is provided by multi-disciplinary teams, genetic counsellors often provide continuity of care to multiple family members through contact with them over months or years. As genetic counselling requires clinical skills, many practitioners have a professional background and qualification in nursing, midwifery, social work or psychology (Skirton et al 2003). However, others without this background may prepare for practice by undertaking a suitable period of training, such as a master's degree in genetic counselling (Skirton et al 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using a community of practice to develop standards of practice and education for genetic counsellors in Europe

2010

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The profession of genetic counselling is developing in Europe in response to the increased need for genetic healthcare. Standards of education and professional practice are needed to ensure that patients are provided with genetic counselling of an appropriate quality. However, such standards need to be relevant to practitioners in many different national and healthcare settings. In order to develop appropriate standards and a code of practice to guide professionals in Europe, we formed a community of practice that includes genetic nurses and counsellors, plus other interested health professionals, from 23 European countries. With reference to the European core competences for genetic counsellors, the members of the network developed a set of professional standards for practice, educational standards and a code of practice. It is strongly suggested that the title genetic counsellor should become a protected title in Europe and that practitioners are educated via a master level degree in genetic counselling. These standards have been approved by the members of the network and the existing professional national societies for genetic nurses and counsellors. They provide a foundation for building the profession of genetic counselling in Europe and for provision of equitable care across European countries. Further work is now needed to ensure that appropriate educational opportunities exist to train practitioners and that clinical teams utilise the expertise of these professionals appropriately to enhance the care offered to families at risk of or affected by genetic conditions.

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Genetic Counsellors: A Registration System to Assure Competence in Practice in the United Kingdom

Cited by 15 publications

References 3 publications

Challenges in global genomics education

Challenges in global genomics education

Genetic education and the challenge of genomic medicine: development of core competences to support preparation of health professionals in Europe

Using a community of practice to develop standards of practice and education for genetic counsellors in Europe

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