What is Genetic Counselling?

• Duration: 6 weeks live, 2 hours per week
• Free
• Certificate of achievement available on satisfactory completion
• Start Date: The course is run ‘live’ for 6 weeks from the start date above. Once this period is over there will be no live monitoring of the forums, but you can still join and complete the course during the remaining period.

Why join the course?

Who are genetic counsellors? Who has genetic counselling and what does a genetic counsellor do? On this course, you will find the answers to these questions whilst learning about the role of genetic counselling in healthcare and the genomic era.

You will discover why people seek genetic counselling and how it compares in different contexts and countries. You will explore the main skills and knowledge needed of a genetic counsellor, as well as their key responsibilities to patients. You will also discuss the ethical issues of genetic counselling, and its varied opportunities and challenges for the future.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for healthcare professionals, clinicians, biomedical research scientists, and anyone curious about genetic counselling.

Although not required, a basic knowledge of genetics, genetic testing technologies, and inheritance patterns would help support your learning on this course.

What topics will you cover?

• Why people would see a genetic counsellor
• Some of a genetic counsellor’s key tasks
• A genetic counsellor’s key skills and knowledge: counselling skills, medical and scientific knowledge
• Ethical issues in genetic counselling
• What the future might hold for genetic counsellors

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to…

• Identify why people have genetic counselling and the different contexts in which people receive genetic counselling
• Describe the different skills and knowledges needed by genetic counsellors
• Compare genetic counselling in different contexts and different countries
• Reflect on some ethical issues that arise in genetic counselling
• Discuss the role of genetic counselling in healthcare as we enter the ‘genomic era’.

What software or tools do you need?

No specific software, hardware or other resources are required to complete the course.

Lead Educators

Anna Middleton
I am the Chair of the Association of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors in the UK and ROI (2018/19) and Head of Society and Ethics Research at the Wellcome Genome Campus, Connecting Science, Cambridge, UK

Jonathan Roberts
I am a pre-registration genetic counsellor at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. I am also a Staff Scientists at the Wellcome Genome Campus. I conduct my research within the Society and Ethics Research group.

Wellcome Genome Campus Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

• Unlimited access to this course
• Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
• Tests to validate your learning
• A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible