Training activity information
Details
Observe multidisciplinary clinics and team meetings across a range of specialisms and reflect on the role of the Genetic Counsellor
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee​.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- For example: fetal medicine, cardiology, paediatrics, endocrinology, assisted reproduction, neurology, ophthalmology or oncology
- Communicating uncertain information
- Representing family beliefs, values, dynamics and intentions
- Appropriate genomic testing strategies
- Ethical challenges relating to establishing a family diagnosis from genomic results
- Variants of uncertain significance
- Family studies to support variant interpretation
- Inheritance patterns, including: non-penetrance and variable phenotypes
- Incidental findings
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What do you understand about the purpose and function of the MDT? How does this relate to Clinical Genetics and Genetic Counsellors?
- What specific aspects of the Genetic Counsellor’s role in various specialisms are you hoping to observe and understand better?
- What questions should you ask beforehand to understand the context of these meetings? How will you actively engage and learn from these observations?
In action
- What are you noticing about the interactions and contributions of the Genetic Counsellor?
- How are they approaching the discussion of cases?
- What specific actions are they taking?
- Why do you think they are intervening in that particular way at this moment?
- How is the discussion progressing?
- How effective are the Genetic Counsellor’s contributions in clarifying genetic aspects or contributing to the diagnostic or management pathway?
- What challenges are you observing in the communication or decision-making process?
- What are you learning about the role as the meeting unfolds?
- How does this align with your current understanding of their role?
- Are you seeing any opportunities for further Genetic Counsellor involvement?
- Are there alternative ways the Genetic Counsellor could be contributing at different points?
- What additional information or perspectives might be valuable?
- Do you feel they are operating within their expected scope of practice?
- What support or guidance might you need to better understand the nuances of their role in this setting?
On action
- What were the key observations you made regarding the Genetic Counsellor’s role and contributions in these settings? Summarise the main ways they interacted with the team and patients.
- What did you learn about the specific responsibilities and expertise of the Genetic Counsellor in different specialisms?
- What new skills or knowledge did you gain regarding their contribution to the diagnostic or management pathway?
- Were there any unexpected aspects of their role or any challenges they faced?
- How did your in-the-moment reflections during the observation influence your understanding afterwards?
- How does this align with what you understand will be expected of you in your future practice?
- Moving forward, how will this observation inform your understanding of multidisciplinary working and the Genetic Counsellor’s role within it?
- What specific areas for your own development have you identified based on this experience?
- How might you apply these learnings to your future interactions in similar settings?
- What further information or resources might help you to better understand the nuances of this role?
- What are your next steps to explore these areas further? How has the MDT contributed to patient care?
- Are there any elements of education or more general professional development you can take away from this?
Beyond action
- Reflecting back on your observation of multidisciplinary clinics and team meetings, how has your understanding of the Genetic Counsellor’s role evolved since then, especially in light of other experiences or learning in this module?
- Have you noticed similar or contrasting roles in other settings?
- What specific behaviours or practices did you observe that you have now incorporated into your own approach or understanding of professional practice?
- How has this initial observation influenced your subsequent interactions in multidisciplinary settings or your approach to understanding the contributions of different specialists?
- Can you identify specific instances where the insights gained from this training activity have helped you in other training activities, such as case presentations or discussions with colleagues?
- How has this experience prepared you for any related assessments in this module?
- Considering your future career, how do you anticipate the insights from this observation will continue to shape your understanding of multidisciplinary working and your role within it?
- What transferable skills related to teamwork, communication, or professional boundaries did this experience highlight, and how will you continue to develop these?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 2 |
Outcome
Employ knowledge of patient pathways in a range of healthcare settings to contribute to the Genetic Counsellor’s expertise as part of a multidisciplinary team. |
| # 4 |
Outcome
Compare the benefits and limitations of genomic screening for risk prediction and advise on their application/use in practice. |