Genetic Counselling – (M.Sc.)

Contents

Module details The course has 3 components. Taught modules are scheduled on two days a week, and placements and research carried out on other days.

* Taught course modules (120 credits)
* Research dissertation (60 credits)
* Placements

Taught modules

The programme consists of the following taught course units, with teaching taking place two days a week in the first year and one day a week in the second year:

* Human Genetics
* Clinical Genetics
* Research Skills
* Counselling Skills
* Care and Counselling in Health Settings
* Ethics in Genetic Practice
* Education and Communications in Genetics
* Advanced Genetic Counselling

Placements

* Year 1: students complete a placement (2 days per week for 16 weeks) in a setting providing services to individuals with disability
* Year 2: students complete two placements (full time, 12 weeks each) in a UK Regional Genetic Service, which includes experience of a minimum of 40 supervised cases. All students complete one placement in the Service based at St Mary's Hospital in Manchester and the other usually at another Service within the UK. Students are assessed on their skill development towards achieving recognised genetic counsellor competencies

Students also undertake a research project leading to a dissertation.

Course content for year 1 Clinical Genetics (15 credits)

Integrative approach to genetic disorders affecting children and adults, focusing on the medical, genetic and psychosocial aspects of the most common. Students complete 2 essays discussing management of hypothetical cases and sit a 90-minute case-based exam in June.

Research Skills (30 credits)

A theoretical and practical course unit designed to familiarise students with research design and statistical techniques relevant to students' research projects and dissertations. Assessment is through participation in the seminars, satisfactory completion of a research project protocol and sit a 60-minute multiple choice exam in May/June.

Human Genetics (15 credits)

Comprises 20 lectures in total. Covers human molecular genetics and risk calculation in mendelian and non-mendelian disorders. All students sit a 90-minute exam paper.

Year 1 Genetic Counselling (30 credits)

* Counselling Skills Unit - An introduction to the theory and practice of counselling consisting of ten 1-hour sessions, as a foundation to the Advanced Genetic Counselling course unit in the second year. Contains practical training in interview technique through discussion of demonstration video tapes and student participation in role-play and taped interview. Students are assessed through their preparation for, and participation in, each session, completion of a process recording and of a counselling essay
* Care and Counselling in Health Settings Unit - A seminar and discussion course unit lasting 30 hours taught in the first and second semesters. Aims to familiarise students with the wide impact of genetics disorders and of the role of other professionals and the voluntary sector in providing services for these families. Assessment is based on presentation of a critical appraisal of an assigned paper from the literature and a case report

Course content for year 2 Education and Ethics in Genetic Practice (15 credits)

* Education and Communication in Genetics Unit - Looks at methods of communicating genetics information in the genetic clinic setting as well as professional education and public engagement.Students complete assignments including the production of a lay leaflet, a counselling aid, and a set of teaching slides
* Ethics in Genetic Practice Unit - The principles of healthcare ethics and ethical and legal issues in practice and research are reviewed. Sessions include students' presentation of assigned readings and cases from their own placements that raise ethical issues, as well as group discussions. Students are assessed through their preparation for, and participation during, the course

Year 2: Genetic Counselling (15 credits)

Taught throughout the first and second semesters of year 2, the theory and practice of counselling in the clinical genetic context is explored. Sessions are structured around students' presentation of assigned readings, feedback on audio-visual recordings of made by students' genetic clinic sessions in their placements, and video and live role-play. Students are assessed through their preparation and presentation of assigned papers from the literature, preparation and presentation of clinical tapes, participation in role-play and discussion and completion of a process recording.