96849 Introduction to Genetic Counselling
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 3 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Description
Communication and counselling form the foundation for many genetic counselling activities. During this subject, students engage in core communication and skills training in a supported environment. Students are introduced to person-centred theory and the relationship of this theory to genetic counselling. Collecting and documenting a 3-generation family history is central to genetic counselling. Students are introduced to the nomenclature used and practice family history taking skills in different situations. Students begin to consider the role of family communication.
Reflective practice is integral to the provision of person-centred care. Students participate in role plays and are encouraged to reflect on their use of core communication and counselling skills. A cultural safety framework is introduced, and students are invited to consider the use of communication and counselling skills with culturally and societally diverse groups.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 001. | Apply major psychotherapeutic counselling theories relevant to genetic counselling |
|---|---|
| 003. | Use basic counselling skills including active listening, attending, reflecting, clarifying and summarising |
| 010. | Collect, draw and enter family history information to complete a family tree |
| 011. | Engage in conversations about family communication with clients, family members and other healthcare professionals |
| 018. | Engage in reflective genetic counselling practice |
| 033. | Use cultural safety frameworks for genetic counselling practice |
| 034. | Apply knowledge of historical and contemporary Indigenous experience to genetic counselling practice |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
The learning outcomes for this subject are as follows:
- Contribute to the delivery and practice of evidence-based genetic and genomic health care. (1.1)
- Evaluate and synthesise knowledge of Indigenous contexts and apply principles of cultural safety including reflective practice to work effectively with and for Indigenous Australians across genetic counselling. (2.1)
- Engage in appropriate and effective relationships with people from diverse communities whilst demonstrating awareness of cultural and societal diversity and disparity in healthcare. (2.2)
- Facilitate appropriate and ethical implementation of genomic healthcare by interpreting and communicating information provided by genetic and genomic technology in a supportive manner with individuals, families, healthcare professionals and the wider community. (3.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This is an introductory subject in the Graduate Certificate in Genetic Counselling Skills, providing students with core knowledge and skills for genetic counselling practice. Students are encouraged to develop and enhance communication skills to become culturally sensitive, empathic, person-centred practitioners.
The subject contributes to the following graduate attributes:
Practice ready:
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Genetic Counselling Skills participate in the provision of evidence-based care to clients and their families and work collaboratively with other healthcare practitioners across interdisciplinary settings.
Culturally sensitive:
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Genetic Counselling Skills are self-reflective and culturally sensitive, capable of working alongside culturally and societally diverse groups.?
Person-centred:
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Genetic Counselling Skills are empathic, person-centred healthcare practitioners who facilitate understanding and adaptation to information provided by genetic and genomic technology.
Professionally aware:
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Genetic Counselling Skills are professional and ethical co-workers who uphold knowledge and competency standards both locally and globally.?They are equipped to contribute to advancements in genetic counselling.
Teaching and learning strategies
Preparation for Learning: Pre-work is undertaken on Canvas prior to weekly live and online workshops. Students will be provided with preparation activities each week, including readings, discussions, questions to prompt reflection, case studies and videos that prepare them for the live and online sessions. Please ensure that prep work is carried out prior to the live and online session so that you have spent time accessing and making sense of ideas. Attending the live and online workshops will allow you to test these ideas and further consolidate your learning.
Live and online workshops: Weekly live and online workshops provide students with opportunities to participate in discussion, role play and problem-based learning activities. The activities in the weekly workshops build on the
pre-work and allow time to clarify and ask questions on content learning. Students will work in pairs, small groups and as a class during the workshops. Group discussions will often involve case-based learning activities. Students will participate in role-play and learning activities to assist with the development of communication skills. Feedback will be provided by the teacher and by peers, using feedback models that will be provided.
Research Integrated Learning: Taking an evidence-based approach to healthcare practice is an essential skill. Current research is integrated into the content provided in pre-work and workshops. Students are encouraged to read, discuss and utilise current research in in the context of providing evidence-based genetic counselling care.
Reflective Learning: Students are encouraged to critically reflect on their learning and their skill development throughout the subject, to identify areas where they may improve their practice. Reflective learning will be encouraged through specific activities in Canvas and during the workshops over the duration of the session.
Ongoing feedback: Verbal feedback will be provided throughout the subject during the live and online workshops. There will be weekly opportunities to discuss ideas and experiences and receive feedback during the live and online workshops. Students will receive feedback on assessment tasks to assist with skill development. Opportunities for verbal formative feedback on assessment tasks are available prior to the due date and summative feedback is provided following final submission.
Content (topics)
Module 1: Introduction to communication and counselling skills for genetic counselling (weeks 1-2)
Module 2: Family history and family communication (weeks 3-4)
Module 3: Cultural safety frameworks for genetic counselling practice (week 5)
Module 4: Putting it all together: Applying communication skills to genetic counselling practice (week 6)
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Response to Case Studies
| Intent: | A series of 3 short case studies provides students with activities to consolidate their learning. The tasks are designed to encourage students to practice and reflect on communication skills, and test and apply their knowledge. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 001, 010, 011, 033 and 034 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1, 2.1, 2.2 and 3.1 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | Written tasks of up to 300 words and quizzes. |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed on your ability to:
Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. |
Assessment task 2: Part A: Counselling skills demonstration task; Part B: reflection (Must Pass)
| Intent: | Communication and counselling skills are essential to the effective provision of genetic and genomic healthcare. This task asks students to use the knowledge and skills acquired during this subject to record a short demonstration of their use of core counselling skills, watch the recording and write a brief reflection. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 003 and 018 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1 and 3.1 |
| Type: | Demonstration |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 60% |
| Length: | Part A: 4 minute recording on Zoom Part B: 300 word structured reflection |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed on: Your ability to use core counselling and communication skills including listening and attending and to reflect on your skill development. |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass this Subject, a minimum grade of 50% must be achieved and students must submit all assessment tasks. The final assessment task is a ‘must-pass’ assessment in which a minimum grade of 50% must be achieved.
Students are required to attend a minimum of 85% of weekly live and online workshops.
Required texts
Coursework Assessments Procedures
Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures (login required).
Additional required readings will be provided via Canvas