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. 2017 Mar 22;25(6):659-661.
doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2017.28. Epub 2017 Mar 22.

The role of genetic counsellors in genomic healthcare in the United Kingdom: a statement by the Association of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors

Anna Middleton  1 , Peter Marks  2 , Anita Bruce  3 , Liwsi K Protheroe-Davies  4 , Cath King  5 , Oonagh Claber  6 , Catherine Houghton  7 , Claire Giffney  8 , Rhona Macleod  9 , Claire Dolling  2 , Sue Kenwrick  10 , Diana Scotcher  9 , Georgina Hall  9 , Christine Patch  11 , Laura Boyes  2
Affiliations

The role of genetic counsellors in genomic healthcare in the United Kingdom: a statement by the Association of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors

Anna Middleton et al. Eur J Hum Genet. .

Abstract

In the United Kingdom, genetic counsellors work together with clinical geneticists and clinical scientist colleagues within specialist genetics services, but they also often work in multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) outside of such services. There, they contribute genetic knowledge together with expert understanding of how to communicate genetic information effectively. They can offer education and support to the MDT, while providing management advice for both affected patients and the extended at-risk family members. As genomic technologies are implemented across many disciplines within healthcare, genetic counsellors are playing a key role in enabling non-genetic health professionals learn, understand and integrate genomic data into their practice. They are also involved in curriculum development, workforce planning, research, regulation and policy creation - all with the aim of ensuring a robust evidence base from which to practise, together with clear guidelines on what constitutes competence and good practice. The Association of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors (AGNC) in The United Kingdom (UK) and Republic of Ireland is committed to supporting genetic counsellors, across all sectors of healthcare and research, as they help deliver genomic medicine for the patient, family and world-class health services.European Journal of Human Genetics advance online publication, 22 March 2017; doi:10.1038/ejhg.2017.28.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Genetic counsellor’s role in the implementation of genomics.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Gevernance structure for the Genetic Counsellor Registration Board (GCRB) UK and ROI.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. AGNC. Association of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors Vision Statement: The future role of Genetic Counsellors in Genomic Healthcare, 2017; last updated: 5 March 2015. Accessed on 9 Januar17; Available at http://www.agnc.org.uk/media/925792/agnc_vision_statement_final.pdf.
    1. Human Genomics Strategy Group. Building on our inheritance: genomic technology in healthcare. 2012; Publication from the Department of Health. Available at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fil....
    1. Burton H: Genetics and Mainstream Medicine. PHG Foundation, Cambridge, UK, 2011. ISBN 978-1-907198-07-6.
    1. Middleton A, Hall G, Patch C: Genetic counselors and genomic counseling in the United Kingdom. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2015; 3: 79–83. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Paneque M, Molvan R, Cordier C et al: Genetic Counselling Profession in Europe: in eLS. John Wiley and Sons Ltd, Chichester, UK, 2016.

MeSH terms