Introduction to the Counselling Skills used in Genomic Medicine15 credits

The aim of this microcredential is to provide you with an introduction to the knowledge, communication and counselling skills, and appropriate attitudes and behaviours, to support individuals and their families whose care will be influenced by genomic investigations.

You will be taught how to communicate and provide appropriate support to individuals and their families. Development of counselling skills will be achieved via theoretical and practical sessions through the use of role play within an academic setting. You will understand the importance of a family history and communication of pathogenic and/or uncertain results.

Course content

• Consent and what it means in relation to genetic and genomic testing.
• Ethical and social implications of genomic testing.
• How to record and interpret a family history, and recognising what is or may be relevant.
• How to verify personal and family history information; consent, confidentiality and access to records.
• Different purposes of genomic testing, including: approaches to prenatal testing, pre-implantation testing (PGD) and pre-conception carrier screening.
• Strategies of approach to lifelong patient management of whole genome information.
• Managing and explaining complex genome results.
• Sources for patient support: patient support groups, on-line resources and other resources.
• Communication and counselling skills, including: written communication skills (for example, designing written information for a patient); communication of genetic risk, including risk perception, and strategies for risk communication; communicating the relevance of genomic testing with a patient
• Counselling tools to convey risk and other complex information.
• Impact on the individual and family of a possible genetic condition.
• Counselling theory that underpins genetic counselling practice.
• The role of a genetic counsellor and the wider multi-disciplinary team.

Attendance required

On campus teaching will take place on 5 days: Tuesday 25th - Thursday 27th February and Wednesday 26th - Thursday 27th March 2025.

Lead

Dr Laura Boyes (Lead Consultant Genetic Counsellor, West Midlands Regional Genetics Service

Credits

15 Masters level credits

You should have a good honours degree in a life sciences subject, although we will consider applicants with alternative qualifications and professional experience within the health service or other relevant background. You should either take Fundamentals in Human Genetics and Genomics, Omics Techniques and Technologies and their Application to Genomic Medicine and Genomics of Common and Rare Inherited Diseases first, or be able to show you have equivalent knowledge and understanding to enable you to benefit from this module.

Please contact the Programme Administrator for further information at genomics@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Please note this microcredential is available for home applicants only.

Why choose a Postgraduate Microcredential short course?

• Microcredentials offer the perfect opportunity to boost your CV without the commitment of a full degree
• Usually taken from existing modules within a Masters, they can be used as standalone credentials with some also counting as academic credits at postgraduate level
• Add a postgraduate level qualification to your CV
• Develop the specialist skills you need for your career goals
• Alumni status with the University of Birmingham
• Learners will have the same access to our student support and campus facilities as our students on full degree programmes.

Please note the deadline for submitting an application:

• Applicants eligible for Home fees are to apply a minimum of 6 weeks before the module start date.
• Applicants eligible for Overseas fees are to apply a minimum of 3 months before the module start date.

Please note that once registered for the microcredential you cannot swap for the non-credit short course version.