Evidence-Based Genetic Education of Non-Genetic-Expert Physicians: Experiences Over Three Decades in Amsterdam

Abstract

To study and improve the competences of health-care workers in the domain of genetics, attention needs to be paid to attitudes, activities, knowledge, and changes in performance. Three decades of research on genetic education for non-genetic-experts in Amsterdam are summarized, including both local and international collaborative efforts. Evidence shows that assessment of learners’ needs and the definition of competences have driven slow but gradual improvement in genetics competence among non-geneticists. Attitudes and behavior are mainly influenced by face-to-face training. eLearning modules can serve to increase knowledge in a large number of participants in a rapidly changing field. Materials developed for accredited courses will sometimes be used for reference or just in time learning. Taking a theoretically informed evaluation approach, it has been possible to demonstrate satisfaction, improved knowledge, and self-reported behavioral change, although measuring effects on health-care practice and population health remains challenging. A flexible approach is needed to serve learners’ needs in a field with many upcoming challenges.

Factors influencing cancer genetic somatic mutation test ordering by cancer physician

“…Furthermore, educational interventions have been shown to increase genomic confidence amongst cancer specialists [25]. Of relevance to this program, there is a growing body of evidence that face-to-face training positively affects attitudes and behaviors, and is arguably most effective when provided "just in time" [26]. Therefore, these findings imply that introducing targeted educational programs, which increase capability and motivation, immediately prior to offering new tests, could modify physicians' somatic ordering behaviours.…”

Capacity Building of Health Professionals on Genetics and Genomics Practice: Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Distance Learning Training Course for Italian Physicians

“…The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of a distance learning course on genetics and genomics for Italian physicians. In recent years, a growing interest in promoting courses on genetics/genomics topics has clearly emerged ( Kohane, 2015 ; Cornel, 2019 ), both due to the rapid developments in genomics technologies and the insufficient knowledge of healthcare practitioners in this field ( Feero and Green, 2011 ; Hall and Luheshi, 2017 ). A previous research about learning methodologies on genetics suggests that different aspects of an educational intervention may have an impact on its effectiveness, including the type of intervention and the amount of practice-reinforcing strategies it contains ( Pastorino et al, 2018 ).…”

Capacity building of health professionals on omics sciences: evaluation of the effectiveness of a distance learning training course for Italian physicians.

“…The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of a distance learning course on genetics and genomics for Italian physicians. In recent years, a growing interest in promoting courses on genetics/genomics topics has clearly emerged [19,20], due to rapid developments in genomic technologies and to the insu cient knowledge of healthcare practitioners in this eld [21][22][23]. A previous research about learning methodologies on genetics suggests that different aspects of an educational intervention may have an impact on its effectiveness, including the type of intervention and the amount of practice-reinforcing strategies it contains [15].…”