96856 Cancer 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
Cancer is a common illness and genomic testing is increasingly being used to help with treatment planning. This subject provides students with skills-based learning in areas related to cancer genetic counselling. Risk assessment tools are introduced and case studies, class discussions, and role plays are used to develop core genetic counselling skills for clinicians working in oncology. Students are invited to reflect on ways to engage and build effective relationships with people from diverse communities who are undergoing familial cancer risk assessment. Students consider the skills and approaches necessary to work effectively with clients who are sick, seriously ill or dying, and with bereaved relatives. Family communication strategies are further developed.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 007. | Facilitate informed decision-making with clients and their families |
|---|---|
| 008. | Provide information to empower clients and families |
| 009. | Communicate effectively with clients, their families, and other health professionals |
| 011. | Engage in conversations about family communication with clients, family members and other healthcare professionals |
| 015. | Facilitate clients’ understanding of risk |
| 023. | Interpret genetic and genomic test results (including screening, diagnostic and predictive tests) |
| 024. | Interpret pathology reports for use in genetic counselling risk assessment |
| 028. | Work with multi-disciplinary/inter-professional teams and in mainstreaming settings |
| 032. | Perform a familial cancer risk assessment using relevant resources |
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)
- 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)
- Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviour within the delivery of genetic and genomic health care. (4.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This is an elective subject in the Graduate Certificate in Genetic Counselling Skills, providing students with core knowledge and skills for cancer genetic counselling practice. Students are encouraged to develop and enhance communication skills in order to become 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.
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: There will be weekly opportunities to discuss ideas and experiences and receive verbal 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 cancer and genetic testing (week 1)
- Drivers of cancer and disease mechanisms
- Inheritance modes and methylation
- Genetic testing technologies
Module 2: Genetic counselling and working with families (weeks 2-3)
Module 3: Risk assessment and communication in cancer genetic counselling (weeks 4-5)
Module 4: Applying evidence to practice (week 6)
.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Participation in fortnightly activities
| Intent: | Fortnightly tasks provide 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: 009, 023, 024, 028 and 032 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1 and 4.1 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | Written tasks of up to 300 words and online quiz |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed on your ability to:
Detailed assessment criteria will be provided in Canvas. |
Assessment task 2: Response to case scenarios, this is a 'must-pass' assessment
| Intent: | Healthcare practitioners bring together knowledge and skills to respond to client’s individual circumstances. This task asks students to use the knowledge and skills acquired during this subject to prepare a written response to a familial cancer case scenario. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 007, 008, 011 and 015 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 1.1 and 3.1 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 50% |
| Length: | 750 words |
| Criteria: | You will be assessed on:
Preparation for a conversation about family communication of familial cancer risk |
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