Core competencies in genetics for healthcare professionals: results from a literature review and a Delphi method

Alessia Tognetto,Maria Benedetta Michelazzo,Antonio Federici,Walter Ricciardi,Stefania Boccia

doi:10.1186/s12909-019-1456-7

Abstract

BackgroundAdvances in genetics and genomics require that healthcare professionals manage and incorporate new technologies into the appropriate clinical practice. The aim of this study was to identify core competencies in genetics for non-geneticists, both physicians and non-physicians.MethodsWe performed a literature review by searching MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and ISI Web of Science databases to identify studies reporting competencies in genetics in terms of knowledge, attitudes and abilities for non-genetic healthcare professionals. Furthermore, we conducted a survey according to a modified Delphi method, involving genetics experts to evaluate the competencies to be included as items of the curricula.ResultsThree eligible documents were identified and 3 Delphi rounds were carried out to reach a consensus on the competencies to be incorporated in the curricula. With reference to the curriculum for physicians, 19 items were included in the knowledge domain, 3 in the attitudes and 10 in the abilities domain. We developed two different curricula for non-physicians: one specific for those working in genetic services (20 items in the knowledge domain, 3 in the attitudes and 12 in the abilities) and one for those not working in genetic services (10 items in the knowledge domain, 3 in the attitudes and 2 in the abilities).ConclusionsWe developed 3 curricula in genetics addressed to non-genetic healthcare professionals. They differ in the “knowledge” and “abilities”, while the “attitudes” are the same for all the healthcare professionals. Although some concerns about the generalizability of the findings could arise due to the Italian perspective, we envisage the curricula can be used for genetics educational programs in several contexts.

Highlights

Advances in genetics and genomics require that healthcare professionals manage and incorporate new technologies into the appropriate clinical practice
Literature review After removing duplicates, we identified a total of 4417 articles of which 4284 were excluded after title and abstract screening because not related to the research topic
Only one new item was modified and included in the curriculum for those not working in genetic services

Summary

Introduction

Advances in genetics and genomics require that healthcare professionals manage and incorporate new technologies into the appropriate clinical practice. New DNA sequencing technologies have been offered at increasingly reduced costs [1, 2]. This has led to a rapid spread of genetic tests utilization in the clinical practice [3]. The predefinition of a set of core competencies is essential for the development of an educational programme [14]. The definition of the core competencies for a certain professional category should be based on the assessment of educational needs, achievable through an appropriate reference to the existing evidence and through the involvement of an adequate group of experts [18, 19]

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Conclusion