Abstract for presentation at 11th International Congress of Human Genetics

The Genetics Education Project: an approach to integrating genetics into primary care

  • Dr June Carroll, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada
  • Ms Andrea Rideout, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada
  • Dr Sean Blaine, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, Canada
  • Dr Brenda Wilson, University of Ottawa, Canada
  • Dr Wendy Meschino, North York General Hospital, Canada
  • Dr Sandra Farrell, Credit Valley Hospital, Canada
  • Dr Gail Graham, Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Canada
  • Dr Judith Allanson, Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Canada

    • Purpose: Genetic tests predicting susceptibility to common diseases and prenatal screening tests are becoming increasingly available. Patients turn to primary care providers to enable them to make informed choices about genetic services. The goal of the Genetics Education Project is to facilitate delivery of genetics services by Canadian primary care providers by developing, disseminating and evaluating effective genetics education.
    Method: We developed PowerPoint presentations with referenced speaker notes on hereditary breast/ovarian and colorectal cancers, hemochromatosis, genetics of Alzheimer disease and prenatal screening for Down syndrome, as well as practice tools to accompany them. The initial knowledge translation strategy consisted of a Primary Care Genetics Peer Resource workshop designed to educate primary care providers (family physicians, obstetrician/gynecologists, midwives, nurses) about these topics and also teach skills to assess the benefits, harms and limitations of new genetic technologies. The aim was for attendees to become local resources in primary care genetics, with the back up of genetics mentors and a resource website. Peer “influentials” were identified through academic and professional organizations. An initial questionnaire assessing knowledge, attitudes and practice was completed by participants, followed by evaluation of the workshop.
    Results: 30 providers attended the workshop (57% family physicians, 27% nurses 10% midwives). 93% agreed that the workshop met their learning objectives, 89% agreed it was very effective to learn genetics with members of other professions, 63% stated they would improve family history taking, 42% reported increased genetics knowledge and 42% would begin or increase teaching genetics.
    Conclusion: Primary care providers value practical tools to facilitate the delivery of genetic services. Future evaluation will determine if and how they use the workshop tools to educate their peers.

    Conference Organiser - ICMS Pty Ltd