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Assessing the Integration of Genomic Medicine in Genetic Counseling Training Programs

  • Next Generation Genetic Counseling
  • Published:
Journal of Genetic Counseling

Abstract

Medical genetics has entered a period of transition from genetics to genomics. Genetic counselors (GCs) may take on roles in the clinical implementation of genomics. This study explores the perspectives of program directors (PDs) on including genomic medicine in GC training programs, as well as the status of this integration. Study methods included an online survey, an optional one-on-one telephone interview, and an optional curricula content analysis. The majority of respondents (15/16) reported that it is important to include genomic medicine in program curricula. Most topics of genomic medicine are either “currently taught” or “under development” in all participating programs. Interview data from five PDs and one faculty member supported the survey data. Integrating genomics in training programs is challenging, and it is essential to develop genomics resources for curricula.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Jane Engelberg Memorial Fellowship Student Research Award, which was granted to the principal investigator, Jessica Profato. The funds were provided by the Engelberg Foundation of the National Society of Genetic Counselors. We would like to thank Kelly Ormond, MS, LCGC for her contributions to the development of this research project.

Conflict of interest

Jessica L. Profato and Erynn S. Gordon declare that they have no conflict of interest. Shannan Dixon is the program director of the University of Maryland genetic counseling training program. Andrea Kwan is the associate program director of the Stanford University genetic counseling training program.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinical Cancer Genetics Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1155 Pressler St., Unit 1354, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Jessica Profato

  2. InVitae, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Erynn S. Gordon

  3. Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Shannan Dixon

  4. Department of Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

    Andrea Kwan

  5. Division of Medical Genetics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA

    Andrea Kwan

Authors
  1. Jessica Profato
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  2. Erynn S. Gordon
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  3. Shannan Dixon
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  4. Andrea Kwan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jessica Profato.

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Profato, J., Gordon, E.S., Dixon, S. et al. Assessing the Integration of Genomic Medicine in Genetic Counseling Training Programs. J Genet Counsel 23, 679–688 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-013-9677-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-013-9677-0

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