Aim:
To be able to explain the characteristics of counseling and dealing with various genetic disorders. To be able to discuss medical genetic field, in a medical, social and ethical perspective. To gain insight in how genetic disorders influence the individual and the family.
Contents:
The students will gain a critical and analytical attitude towards the topics taught based on scientific knowledge. That patients and colleagues are to be treated with respect are emphasized. The students are also to show appropriate and correct handling of medical as well as genetic information. The course consists of two modules:
1. Subjects related to genetic counseling are mainly focused on medical genetic handling of various conditions, emotional reactions to crisis, stress and coping. The student will be introduced to the laws regulating medical genetic field, and different ethical challenges of the study field.
2. In the practical module, the student will be familiar with communication processes and principles for genetic counseling. The student will use theories and knowledge learned in GENV331 as well as GENV332, including practical counseling exercises as part of a compulsory communication course.
It will also be facilitated for experience at Center of medical genetics and molecular medicine, Haukeland University Hospital.
After completing the course, the students should be able to
- explain the characteristics of genetic consideration and counseling of frequent hereditary diseases as well as rare genetic disorders
- explain and discuss the concept of prenatal diagnostics
- hold knowledge about and insight in how genetic disorders influence the individual, the family and the community
- hold advanced knowledge about, explain and discuss the characteristics of counseling a family
- hold extensive knowledge about psychological reaction patterns that may appear in the process of genetic counseling
- hold special insight in and discuss the legal and ethical perspectives that control the medical genetic organization in Norway
- be familiar with and use various counseling models and techniques in genetic counseling
- maintain conscious reflection related to what happens in the ¿meeting¿ between counselor and patient/family
- hold a general view over the functions of a medical genetic department, and how the amount of patients are handled
- draw a family tree based of family history
Lectures
Seminars
Communication course with practical exercises
Patient counseling
Colloquia
Compulsory communication course with practical exercises.
Compulsory patient counseling
Three essays (graded A-F).
Communication course and compulsory counseling at medical genetic departments concluded with reflection paper (pass/fail).
Internal and external examiner
Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care
e-mail:
Course coordinator:
Åshild Lunde