Scoping the Scene: What Do Nurses, Midwives, and Allied Health Professionals Need and Want to Know About Genomics?
Introduction: Rapid changes in genomic technology are transforming healthcare delivery. Although it has been well established that many health professionals lack the adequate knowledge, skills, and confidence to adapt to these changes, the specific educational needs of Australian allied health profe...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2019-11-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Genetics |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fgene.2019.01066/full |
| _version_ | 1818531438185676800 |
|---|---|
| author | Mona Saleh Romy Kerr Romy Kerr Kate Dunlop |
| author_facet | Mona Saleh Romy Kerr Romy Kerr Kate Dunlop |
| author_sort | Mona Saleh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Rapid changes in genomic technology are transforming healthcare delivery. Although it has been well established that many health professionals lack the adequate knowledge, skills, and confidence to adapt to these changes, the specific educational needs of Australian allied health professionals, nurses, and midwives are not well understood. This diverse group of health professionals is primarily involved in the management of symptoms and psychosocial care of patients with genetic conditions, rather than risk assessment and diagnosis. The relevance of genetics and genomics to their clinical practice may therefore differ from medical practitioners and specialists.Materials and Methods: This paper reports on a study undertaken to identify the perceived genetic knowledge and education needs for this group of health professionals. Allied health professionals, nurses, and midwives were recruited from throughout New South Wales (NSW) and invited to participate in semi-structured telephone or face to face interviews.Results: A total of 24 geographically and professionally diverse individuals (14 allied health, 6 nurses, and 4 midwives) were interviewed. Interview recordings were transcribed and using thematic qualitative analysis recurring themes were identified. The results show that this is a diverse group that is keen to know more about genomics and genetic services but unsure of reliable sources.Discussion: The need for a generic update from a trustworthy source was identified and suggested topics to be covered included genetic fundamentals, recognizing common genetic conditions, and psychosocial/ethical aspects of genetics/testing including informed consent. In addition, the challenge of incorporating education into highly clinical roles was identified as a key barrier and having a readily accessible, accredited learning resource would help overcome this. Findings from this study are informing the development of a targeted, interactive e-learning resource for allied health professionals, nurses, and midwives. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T17:32:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-93a42ed5e2d248c799230788f78565a0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-8021 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T17:32:28Z |
| publishDate | 2019-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Genetics |
| spelling | doaj.art-93a42ed5e2d248c799230788f78565a02022-12-22T00:56:47ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Genetics1664-80212019-11-011010.3389/fgene.2019.01066480898Scoping the Scene: What Do Nurses, Midwives, and Allied Health Professionals Need and Want to Know About Genomics?Mona Saleh0Romy Kerr1Romy Kerr2Kate Dunlop3Centre for Genetics Education, New South Wales Health, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaCentre for Genetics Education, New South Wales Health, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaNew Zealand Genetic Health Service (Northern), Auckland, New ZealandCentre for Genetics Education, New South Wales Health, Sydney, NSW, AustraliaIntroduction: Rapid changes in genomic technology are transforming healthcare delivery. Although it has been well established that many health professionals lack the adequate knowledge, skills, and confidence to adapt to these changes, the specific educational needs of Australian allied health professionals, nurses, and midwives are not well understood. This diverse group of health professionals is primarily involved in the management of symptoms and psychosocial care of patients with genetic conditions, rather than risk assessment and diagnosis. The relevance of genetics and genomics to their clinical practice may therefore differ from medical practitioners and specialists.Materials and Methods: This paper reports on a study undertaken to identify the perceived genetic knowledge and education needs for this group of health professionals. Allied health professionals, nurses, and midwives were recruited from throughout New South Wales (NSW) and invited to participate in semi-structured telephone or face to face interviews.Results: A total of 24 geographically and professionally diverse individuals (14 allied health, 6 nurses, and 4 midwives) were interviewed. Interview recordings were transcribed and using thematic qualitative analysis recurring themes were identified. The results show that this is a diverse group that is keen to know more about genomics and genetic services but unsure of reliable sources.Discussion: The need for a generic update from a trustworthy source was identified and suggested topics to be covered included genetic fundamentals, recognizing common genetic conditions, and psychosocial/ethical aspects of genetics/testing including informed consent. In addition, the challenge of incorporating education into highly clinical roles was identified as a key barrier and having a readily accessible, accredited learning resource would help overcome this. Findings from this study are informing the development of a targeted, interactive e-learning resource for allied health professionals, nurses, and midwives.https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fgene.2019.01066/fullgeneticsgenomicsallied healtheducationnurseAustralia |
| spellingShingle | Mona Saleh Romy Kerr Romy Kerr Kate Dunlop Scoping the Scene: What Do Nurses, Midwives, and Allied Health Professionals Need and Want to Know About Genomics? Frontiers in Genetics genetics genomics allied health education nurse Australia |
| title | Scoping the Scene: What Do Nurses, Midwives, and Allied Health Professionals Need and Want to Know About Genomics? |
| title_full | Scoping the Scene: What Do Nurses, Midwives, and Allied Health Professionals Need and Want to Know About Genomics? |
| title_fullStr | Scoping the Scene: What Do Nurses, Midwives, and Allied Health Professionals Need and Want to Know About Genomics? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Scoping the Scene: What Do Nurses, Midwives, and Allied Health Professionals Need and Want to Know About Genomics? |
| title_short | Scoping the Scene: What Do Nurses, Midwives, and Allied Health Professionals Need and Want to Know About Genomics? |
| title_sort | scoping the scene what do nurses midwives and allied health professionals need and want to know about genomics |
| topic | genetics genomics allied health education nurse Australia |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fgene.2019.01066/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT monasaleh scopingthescenewhatdonursesmidwivesandalliedhealthprofessionalsneedandwanttoknowaboutgenomics AT romykerr scopingthescenewhatdonursesmidwivesandalliedhealthprofessionalsneedandwanttoknowaboutgenomics AT romykerr scopingthescenewhatdonursesmidwivesandalliedhealthprofessionalsneedandwanttoknowaboutgenomics AT katedunlop scopingthescenewhatdonursesmidwivesandalliedhealthprofessionalsneedandwanttoknowaboutgenomics |