Genetic Counselling Practice

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Successful completion of first year subjects.

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Objectives, 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 the Disability Liaison Unit: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject provides an extension of the clinical practice subjects by providing breadth and depth through discussion and reflection of issues arising in the placements. Genetic knowledge attained in year 1 will be reviewed and built upon through group discussion. Critical reflective practice will be enhanced through discussion and consideration of issues that are presented by students, arising in their clinical practice. Students will be encouraged to develop self awareness, the ability to critically evaluate practice and to enhance practice and genetic knowledge skills through extensive reading. This subject will develop the skills of ethical reflective genetic counselling practice.

This subject has 6 modules which will form the basis for structured discussion and guided reading of theory and practice. Each module is for 4 weeks. Tutorials will be facilitated by genetic counsellors and may include clinical geneticists, social workers, people with genetic conditions and their families and other professionals from the community and within the health care system.

The modules are:
1) Communicating Risk
2) Breaking bad news
3) Managing challenging situations
4) Dealing with uncertainty
5) Facilitating decision making
6) Advanced genetic counselling skills

The mode of study will be through:
• Case discussion facilitated by a genetic counsellor
• Student journal club presentation of relevant articles
• Video role plays using an actor as the client, with feedback from practitioners
• Consideration of theoretical models with counselling and communication practice. Relevant community resources will also be considered

This subject is designed to enable students to:

• Articulate and critically evaluate models of practice and counselling through guided reading.
• Continue to develop self awareness through participation in group supervision.
• Critically reflect on the ethical and other issues that arise in genetic counselling practice and their impact on the clients.

• 2 x reflective essay and transcript of simulated patient video, 1 for each semester (90%)
• Class participation (10%)

Students will be notified in Course Handbook after enrolment.

• Thompson MW, McInnes RR, Willad HF (2001) Thompson and Thompson Genetics in Medicine (6th edition), WB Saunders
• Jorde LB, Carey JC, White RL. (1999) Medical Genetics (2nd Edition), Mosby Press
• Gelherter TD, Collins FS, Ginsburg D (1998) Principles of Medical Genetics (2nd Edition), USA: Williams and Wilkins

Other references:

• Young ID (1999) Introduction to Risk Calculation in Genetic Counselling (2nd Edition), Oxford University Press
• Korf BR (2000) Human Genetics: A Problem-Based Approach (2nd Edition), Carlton: Blackwell Science
• Gardner RJM and Sutherland GR (2004) Chromosome Abnormalities and Genetic Counselling (3rd Edition), Oxford Monographs, New York: Oxford University Press
• Harper PS (2004) Prctical Genetic Counselling (6th Edition), John Wright
• Trent RJ (1997) Molecular Medicine: An introductory text (2nd Edition), New York: Chruchill Livingstone
• Strachan T and Read AP (2004) Human Molecular Genetics (3rd Edition), Thomson Publishing Services

A subject reference list will be provided. Library available with selected texts within GHSV.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completing the subject students should be able to:

• Identify and understand theories of counselling relevant to genetic counselling.
• Identify the issues of genetic counselling that impact on individuals and families who come for genetic counselling.
• Reflect on the issues that in particular impact on their own practice, and consider how to address these within an ethical framework.
• Continue to develop their genetic knowledge through discussion, reading and tutor teaching
• Engage in group supervision and develop the ability to relate to peers in a critically constructive manner.