Genetic Counselling in the Community

Subject 571-840 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbookSearch for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Graduate/Postgraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable

Classroom and community agency.

Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 18 hours tutorials. 2 days per week x 8 weeks community placement.
Total Time Commitment: 140 hours
Prerequisites: Nil
Corequisites: Nil
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Subject Overview: This subject will facilitate understanding of the wider community issues and how these influence genetic counselling. Discussion will focus on multi-cultural issues that may impact on genetic counselling in the Australian context. Ethical issues inherent in genetic counselling and predictive testing will be explored. Issues of disability within families and the community will be explored. Students will complete an 8 week supervised placement within the community, for 2 days per week.
Assessment: Written examination, 2 hours (75%) due end of semester. Assessment on 5 point scale of placement by supervisor (25%).
Prescribed Texts: A book of selected readings will be available. Texts also available in Library at GHSV.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills: This subject is designed to enable students to: - Understand the issues and problems in accessing genetic programs in the community eg screening, predictive testing. - Articulate and critically evaluate the impact of culture in accessing community programs and genetic counselling interviews. - Reflect on the ethical issues in genetics and in genetic counselling in particular. - Articulate the process of community referrals for families and individuals. - Understand the rationale and principles of models of counselling within selected predictive testing programs. - Observe and participate in selected interviews within a community setting.On completion of this subject it is expected that students will be able to: - Observe and practise the principles of how to work in a respectful and ethical way with people who come for counselling. - Identify and analyse theories of counselling that can be integrated into clinical interviews and genetic counselling practice. - Make appropriate community referrals. - Communicate effectively and understand the principles of establishing a relationship. - Locate, critically evaluate and use relevant literature and professional information to inform the practice of genetic counselling. - Understand the issues of disability within the family, the community and the impace for the genetic counsellor.
Related Course(s): Master of Genetic Counselling

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