Commentary from a commercial laboratory: The unexpected benefits of a more virtual world during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Tschirgi, Matthew L.; Hill-Harfe, Katherine L.; Haverbusch, Victoria C. E.; Truitt, Nicole; Collett, Kathleen; Niemchak, Tessa

doi:10.1002/jgc4.1489

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…With the onset of the global COVID‐19 pandemic, many clinical and laboratory onsite rotations adapted to offer remote options (Arjunan et al., 2021; Redlinger‐Grosse et al., 2021; Tschirgi et al., 2021). The GeneDx education team had the opportunity to grow its established educational offerings with innovative methods that expanded student learning during the pandemic.…”

Section: Shift To Remote Setting For Educational Offeringsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These rotations focused on understanding diagnostic testing methodologies and involved shadowing GCs in different roles (Cho & Guy, 2020). Currently, multiple laboratories offer educational rotations that expose students to variant interpretation and report writing, research, involvement in client interactions, marketing, and product development (Grove et al., 2019; Tschirgi et al., 2021; Cho & Guy, 2020). Students may receive broad overviews of laboratory GC roles, unique or focused rotations, or a combination of both, highlighting the diversity of laboratory educational offerings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Shifts in the genetic counseling workforce highlight a need for laboratory fieldwork experience for genetic counseling trainees

Hart,

Ahmed,

Byrne

et al. 2023

Journal of Genetic Counseling

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As the genetic counseling workforce experiences an increase in genetic counselors (GCs) in non‐direct patient care roles, it is essential that genetic counseling students are trained in these settings. The Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC) standards regarding laboratory exposure have evolved over time, but laboratory fieldwork experience continues to remain a suggestion for a diversified setting. As more trainees seek laboratory exposure and an increasing number of new graduates opt for laboratory positions, learning firsthand from GCs employed in this setting is a valuable experience that should be available to all trainees. Historically, laboratory educational offerings consisted of onsite rotations for students from local training programs focused on understanding diagnostic testing methodologies and shadowing GCs. Through the years, multiple laboratories have expanded their curriculums to expose students to variant interpretation and report writing, research, client services, marketing, and product development. Alongside the growth of laboratory rotation curriculum grew opportunities for remote rotations. Prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic, GeneDx offered remote education options including both individualized rotations and a webinar series. These offerings expanded due to the pandemic coupled with increased demand and have positive implications for future trainees. The evolution of the rotation also included conscious efforts to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion into the curriculum, as well as to improved accessibility to laboratory rotations. Notably, there are inconsistencies in laboratory rotation curricula and requirements, and a standardized evaluation and definition of competencies are lacking. ACGC guidelines defining common core concepts required from laboratory rotations would help ensure students receive an equitable minimum skill set, regardless of training site. Stakeholders in GC education should collaborate to enhance the experiences of future trainees and provide the skills needed by a workforce shifting to remote work and increasing numbers of non‐direct patient‐facing laboratory roles. Drawing upon our years of experience, GeneDx aims to actively contribute to discussions around these questions. Alongside other laboratories and training programs, we hope to foster further innovation surrounding the training needs of our future GC colleagues. This educational innovation illustrates an approach to helping genetic counseling students achieve competencies related to lab‐based roles.

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Section: Shift To Remote Setting For Educational Offeringsmentioning

confidence: 99%