Abstract
Evidences support that accessing to genomic medicine services can improve survival
rates, health, and quality of life for people and their families. However, providing genomic
medicine services requires personnel with specific knowledge and skills to provide consultation
and communication to patients. Genetic counselors is considered as a bridge between geneticists
and health professionals. The genetic counselors would provide accurate information on genetic
services, health promotion, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation to patients and their families.
Working with the counselors, the patients could receive correct information, gain knowledge and
understand their health problems,
In 2023, Faculty of Nursing, in collaboration with Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital,
Mahidol University, has launched a genetic counseling training program. This program has
equipped allied health professionals with the genetics knowledge and counseling in both theory
and practice counseling to patients. Healthcare professionals include physicians, dentists,
pharmacists, registered nurses, and medical technicians and others. The curriculum, developed
by committees from Medical Genetics and Genomics Association and Health Professional
Councils, was approved on December 16, 2022. Faculty of Nursing has conducted the training
program starting from February 1, 2023, to October 12, 2023. There were 96 healthcare
professionals who applied for the training program. Of 96, 45 applicants were selected to study
with scholarship from Health System Research Institute (HSRI). These trainees were five
physicians, four pharmacists, 21 nurses, and 15 medical technicians. They successfully
completed the training program and received genetic counseling certificates.
The training program is a 16-week program with two learning modules. Module 1
involves eight subjects with eight credits. One credit equals to 15 hours of teaching online during
Monday - Friday at 5 - 8 am. The class began on February 1 and end on March 31, 2023. Module
2 consists of four theory and practice subjects with eight credits. Due to a few number of training
sites, the training was organized into 3 groups, Each group has 15-20 trainees and practice from
Monday to Friday during 9am. - 4pm., for two months. The trainees could observe and practice
with patient at Siriraj Hospital, and Pharmacogenetics Laboratory, and Ramathibodi Hospital.
All trainees have passed the evaluation criteria set by the training program. On November 7, 2023,
forty-five trainees have received a certificate of genetic counseling, organized by Medical
Genetics and Genomics Association and Health Professional Councils.
The results showed that the trainees had high satisfaction with overall courses with an
average score of 4.84 out of a total score of 5. The evaluation included teaching and learning
organization, learning support, content, and teacher capacity. The suitability of the training venue
was at good to excellent level in all evaluation aspects. The trainees gave feedback on the program
as an excellent training experience. The length of training program (4 months) was too short since
the content of genetics was so co m p l ex . Some said the training program facilitated working in a
multidisciplinary team. Some stated that training in counseling was very beneficial. The trainees
could exchange knowledge and experiences with others, understand and sympathize with the roles
and responsibilities of each health professional, and develop a network for working in genomic
services in the future.
