Module information
Module details
- Title
- Introduction to Genomics in Mainstream Healthcare and Social Care
- Type
- Rotation
- Module code
- S-GC-R2
- Credits
- 10
- Phase
- 1
- Requirement
- Compulsory
Aim of this module
This module aims to facilitate an understanding of the role of specialties outside of genomics in the screening, diagnosis, management and treatment of genetic and genomic conditions. It aims to provide an understanding of the how the health and social care system provide care for patients with genetic and genomic disease to equip the genetic counsellor to appreciate and interact with relevant care pathways in future interactions with patients. The module aims to support the trainee in future genetic counselling practice by developing knowledge of a range of relevant specialties, working practices and patient pathways, to facilitate future understanding, signposting and referral.
The term mainstream is used frequently in this module and refers to specialties outside genomics, where genomics is relevant to care and genomic testing is becoming more integrated.
Work-based content
Training activities
| # | Learning outcome | Training activity | Type | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| # 1 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Attend a multidisciplinary team meeting in at least two different mainstream specialties and reflect on the meetings |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 2 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Shadow healthcare professionals in cancer mainstream specialties and reflect on their role |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 3 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Observe screening procedures in a cancer setting and reflect on the process |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 4 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Follow the patient pathway through part of a mainstream healthcare pathway and reflect on the journey |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 5 | Learning outcome 1,3,4,6 |
Training activities
Explore an innovation in policy, procedure, technology or guidelines in one mainstream specialty and reflect on the impact this will have on practice |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 6 | Learning outcome 1,3,5,6 |
Training activities
Review the effect of legislation/guidance applied to genomics in mainstream healthcare and reflect on how this guides practice |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 7 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Observe screening procedures in a non-cancer setting and reflect on the process |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 8 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Shadow healthcare professionals in one or more non-cancer mainstream specialties and reflect on their role |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 9 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Follow the patient pathway through an element of social care and reflect on the journey |
Type OTA | Action View |
| # 10 | Learning outcome 1,2,3,6 |
Training activities
Shadow healthcare professionals in one or more non-acute specialty and reflect on their role |
Type OTA | Action View |
Assessments
Complete 1 Case-Based Discussion
Complete 1 DOPS or OCE
Direct Observation of Practical Skills Titles
- Summarise a screening/management pathway for inclusion in a patient letter or leaflet.
Observed Communication Event Titles
- Gather a relevant patient history relevant to the specialty from a patient, patient representative, or a member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team.
- Present a patient history relevant to the specialty to a member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team.
- Describe a screening/management pathway to a patient.
- Feedback to colleagues’ useful observations from one of your experiences in a mainstream health or social care setting.
Learning outcomes
| # | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Explore the contribution of genomic testing in mainstream healthcare to patient care. |
| 2 | Identify the roles and relationships of the multidisciplinary teams applying genomic testing in mainstream healthcare. |
| 3 | Describe the working practices of mainstream healthcare in applying genomic testing. |
| 4 | Examine the impact of innovation in genomic testing in mainstream healthcare. |
| 5 | Review the effect of legislation applied to genomic testing in mainstream healthcare. |
| 6 | Compare and contrast the practice of genomic testing in different healthcare specialties. |
Clinical experiences
Activities
There is no clinical experiential learning associated with this module.
Academic content (MSc in Clinical Science)
Important information
The academic parts of this module will be detailed and communicated to you by your university. Please contact them if you have questions regarding this module and its assessments. The module titles in your MSc may not be exactly identical to the work-based modules shown in the e-portfolio. Your modules will be aligned, however, to ensure that your academic and work-based learning are complimentary.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module the trainee will be able to:
- Explain the role of mainstream genomic healthcare in the patient pathway from diagnosis to treatment.
- Describe the social care system and role of social work in safeguarding, capacity and appropriate legislation.
- Evaluate the additional support provided by charitable sector to the care of individuals and families affected by genetic conditions.
- Demonstrate an extended understanding of systemic ways of working to help address the complex needs of patients and families with rare genetic conditions.
- Describe the psychosocial considerations in relation to national screening programmes.
- Demonstrate a critical awareness of the legislation and guidance relating to consent and confidentiality as applies to genomic testing.
- Describe health psychology theory related to screening and behavioural change.
- Critically appraise the range of information resources relating to conditions and family support services that may be used to support families with genomic disease.
Indicative content
Health care system and social services
- The patient and family burden of genetic and genomic conditions
- Principles of patient centred care and patient safety
- Introduction to social models of health and illness
- The integration of medical and social models of disability
Psychology theories and public health and health psychology
- Health psychology in the context of biology, society and culture
- Theories, models and interventions for health behaviour change and treatment adherence
- Health promotion and disease prevention
- Illness experience and healthcare
- Understanding stress and fostering resilience
Screening and national screening programmes
- Introduction to national screening programmes, including antenatal screening and newborn screening
- Examine the rationale for screening programmes: the ethical, logistical and economic challenges for the NHS
- Reproductive options
Access to treatment
- Evidence based medicine: NICE guidance with examples of cancer screening and gene therapy
- Improving access to genomic healthcare
- Current innovations in clinical care pathways in genomics
- Integration of clinical care and research, including treatment trials
- Impact of genomics on personalised medicine
Support for patients and families
- Primary care and community-based services
- The role of voluntary and lay organisations in supporting families
- Psychological and social support for families