World Congress on Genetic Counselling

Advances in genomic sequencing technology are promising a revolution in
how diseases are diagnosed and treated.  Understanding how these
advances are managed and communicated to patients, families and wider
society will benefit from empirical genetic counselling research.

This new conference will provide a forum that facilitates active
engagement between international researchers and practitioners to explore
the evidence that guides genetic counselling and the communication of
genetics in mainstream medicine, thereby enhancing clinical practice. The
conference will bring together genetic counsellors, other practicing
clinicians (genetic nurses, clinical/medical geneticists, and others
using genetic technology in their practice) and academics (social
scientists, psychologists and geneticists).

The programme will follow the ’patient journey’ through the counselling
process, starting with how people understand genetics before they become
patients, how their initial conversations with genetics services are
conducted, how communication theory guides practice, through to what
counts as success in genetic counselling. We will explore new approaches
to facilitate communication around genetic information, discuss the
current challenges in obtaining consent when combining clinical care and
research, and debate the relevance of communication theory in modern
genetic counselling practice. There will also be a session on the
ethical, legal and social aspects of counselling and a discussion on the
research priorities for the field.

This conference has been awarded awarded 12 hours of Continuing
Professional Development time for use in registration and renewal of
registration by Genetic Counsellor Registration Board (GCRB) UK and
Republic of Ireland.

The conference will start at approximately 13.00 on 4 October and close
at approximately 14.00 on Friday 6 October 2017.

Topics will include:

• How the public engage with genetics
• Becoming a patient: the first conversations about genomics
• Counselling under scrutiny
• An evidence base behind counselling
• Outcome measurements
• Communication models in genetic counselling
• Ethical and social issues
• The future of the genetic counselling profession

The programme is available.

Scientific programme committee
Barbara Biesecker National Human Genome
Research Institute, USA
Anna Middleton Wellcome Genome Campus,
UK
Christine Patch King’s College London and
Genomics England, UK

Keynote speakers
Bob Resta Swedish Medical Centre,
USA
Clara Gaff Melbourne Genomics Alliance,
Australia

Confirmed speakers
Jehannine Austin University of British Columbia, Canada
Eveline
Bleiker Netherlands Cancer Institute, The Netherlands
Vicky Chico
Sheffield University, UK
Tara Clancy University of Manchester, UK
Sandi Dheensa University of Southampton,
UK
Robin
Hayeems The Hospital for Sick Children, Canada
Heidi Howard Uppsala University, Sweden
Robin Lee University of California San
Francisco, USA
Sylvia Metcalfe University of Melbourne,
Australia
Alison Metcalfe King’s College London, UK
Katherine Payne University of Manchester,
UK
Jon Roberts Wellcome Genome Campus, UK
Tina-Marie Wessles University of Cape Town,
South Africa

Conference organiser
Laura Hubbard Wellcome Genome Campus, UK

Registration Fees:

The registration fee includes entrance to the lectures and poster
sessions, an abstract book, meals (lunch and dinner) and refreshments
during the conference. Breakfast will be provided for delegates who have
booked accommodation.

Registration deadline: Closed

Accommodation – Onsite has sold out!
Accommodation is provided for the nights of 4 and 5 October 2017. Please
note: there is limited onsite accommodation and this will be allocated on
a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, early registration is
recommended.

If you wish to book onsite accommodation either side of the conference
dates, please contact the Conference Centre directly.

Accommodation at the Red Lion in Hinxton and Holiday Inn Express, Duxford has also sold
out. A shuttle to and from the Conference Centre will be
provided. Please contact the conference organiser for alternative
suggestions.

Travel visas
Contact the conference organiser if you require a letter to support a
travel visa application. Please note: letters will only be provided to
confirmed registrants.

Non-European Economic Area or Swiss nationals may be required to have a
visa to enter the UK.
Early application is strongly advised, as this process can take 6-8 weeks
or longer.

Please visit the following websites for further information:
UK Border Agency website: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/

Information for general visitors and business visitors: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/business/business-activities/

A limited
number of registration bursaries/scholarships are available to attend this conference (up to 50% of the registration fee).
These have been provided by Genomics England, Association of Genetic Nurses and Counsellors (AGNC), National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) and Wellcome
Genome Campus Scientific Conferences.

The
following information will need to be provided:

• Confirmation of membership
  (for AGNC* and NSGC bursaries/scholarships)
• Abstract/clinical case
  study**
• Letter justifying why
  you should be awarded a bursary

*A
maximum of one AGNC bursary will be available per Genetic Centre. Applicants
will be considered
on a first-come first-served basis.

**We
encourage bursary applicants to submit an abstract for consideration as a
poster or short oral presentation. Although not mandatory, applicants who
submit an abstract may be prioritised depending on the number of bursary applications
received.

Bursaries
for non-AGNC members will be prioritised on a first-come first-served basis. First priority will be given to genetic counsellors or researchers working in
the genetic counselling arena, second priority will be given to applicants
who can clearly articulate why financial support is necessary.

To apply, please contact the conference organiser.

Bursary deadline: Closed

We welcome abstracts from all areas relevant to the main themes of the
meeting, for both oral and poster presentations. Several oral
presentations will be chosen from the abstracts submitted.

Abstracts will only be considered from registered delegates. Please use our online abstract submission system and follow the instructions given to ensure your abstract is submitted correctly. All abstracts must be submitted by the deadline. If you are intending to submit more than one abstract, please contact the conference organiser prior to registration.

The scientific programme committee will assess your abstract after the
deadline has passed and you will be notified whether you have been
selected for an oral or poster presentation.

Poster boards onsite will accommodate 118 cm high by 84 cm wide (A0-
portrait) of printed material. Accepted abstracts will appear in the
conference programme book and poster boards will be allocated at the
conference.

Abstract deadline: Closed

Abstract guidelines can be viewed here.