Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Understanding Inherited High Cholesterol
Explore the significance of familial hypercholesterolemia in healthcare with this comprehensive short course from the NHS.
Duration
6 weeksWeekly study
2 hours
Familial Hypercholesterolemia: Understanding Inherited High Cholesterol
Understand and manage familial hypercholesterolemia for future generations
Unlock the key to understanding and managing familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), an inherited condition causing high cholesterol levels. This online course equips you with essential skills to identify, diagnose, and support patients with FH.
Understand the physiology of familial hypercholesterolemia and clinical criteria
On the first two weeks of this course, you’ll delve into the physiology of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and understand the clinical criteria for identifying this condition.
You’ll discover why FH is considered a significant health priority and learn how healthcare professionals play a crucial role in managing this genetic disorder.
Learn the critical role of family history in diagnosing familial hypercholesterolemia
By the second half of this course, you’ll consider family history as a diagnostic tool for FH. You’ll do so by exploring methods to collect pertinent family history information and practise the skill of drawing a family tree.
You’ll understand how family history can reveal risks and aid in managing familial hypercholesterolemia effectively.
Explore the principles of consent in genomic testing for familial hypercholesterolemia
You’ll wrap up this course by discussing the principles of consent during genomic testing consultations for FH. You’ll promote ethical practices by learning how to document genomic conversations accurately and ensure patients are well-informed about testing options.
By completing this course, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of familial hypercholesterolemia to become a key player in the management of patient interventions for FH.
The course was created with support from Northumbria University and Wessex FH Service (Central & South GMSA).
Syllabus
Week 1
Physiology of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) & the clinical criteria for the condition.
Introduction to Week 1
During this first week we will be exploring the signs and symptoms of Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) and the clinical criteria for diagnosing FH.
How the NHS is supporting this priority
We will explore how the NHS national strategy is supporting FH as a health priority.
What is FH?
We will explore what causes FH and the signs and symptoms.
NICE recommendations for treatment of FH
During this activity you will be reviewing the NICE recommendations for treatment for FH for adults and paediatrics.
Key learning points and preparation for Week 2
We will review the key learning points from this week, watch a short video which brings together the discussions and take some time to reflect on the video in preparation for week 2.
Week 2
Introducing Genomics: FH Families and Genetics
Introduction to Week 2
A brief introduction to this weeks topics and the learning outcomes for the week.
What is genomics?
We will be exploring what we mean by genomics and genetic/genomic testing.
Summary of FH genes
We will take a look at the genetic mutations which cause FH.
Family History and Risk Assessment
Having explored the causes for FH we will now consider the process to support the genetic/genomic testing to take place.
How is a genetic test done?
Once consent has been obtained the patient is ready for the genetic test to be carried out - we will explain how this is done.
Reflection and preparation for Week 3
To consolidate the learning from this week and to start to think about the preparations for Week 3.
Week 3
The importance of family history in identifying FH.
Introduction to Week 3
A brief introduction to the topics we will be covering this week and the learning outcomes.
What is a genetic family history?
In this activity we will be exploring how to take a family history and construct a family tree. We will focus on how genomic assessment can identify those at risk of developing familial hypercholesterolemia.
How to draw a family history
You will be introduced to the commonly used symbols (the system) for drawing a family history and identify some general questions to you to construct a family history.
Reading and interpreting a family tree
Reading and interpreting a family tree - to support your understanding of how this approach to assessment underpins genomic based care
Knowledge and skills required
We will consider the knowledge and skills involved in collecting a family history and drawing a family tree
Week 4
The principles of consent when discussing genomic testing.
Introduction to this week's activities
This is a brief introduction to this week's learning which will outline the principles of informed consent in relation to genomic testing and the implications for practice.
The principles of informed consent
During this activity you will be asked to explore how you define informed consent and what needs to be considered to ensure consent is valid.
The principles of consent as applied to genomic testing
Having explored your professional obligations when obtaining informed consent for a patients care and treatment options, we will now begin to explore the principles of consent as applied to genomic testing.
The genomic conversation
Having explored some specific issues to consider when obtaining informed consent for a FH genomic test (and other inherited conditions), we will now examine the the concept of the genomic conversation.
What comes next?
You will be asked to reflect upon the learning from this week and we will share what week 5 will be exploring.
Week 5
Implications/impact of a genomic report for FH.
Introduction to Week 5 and learning outcomes
A brief introduction to the topics to be covered during this week and the learning outcomes.
Genetic test results and their implications
We will explore the possible outcomes of genetic testing for FH and the implications for the patient and their families.
Cascade testing of relatives
During this activity we explore the process of cascade testing and the considerations when implementing cascade testing in a family.
Practice implications of cascade testing
Having considered the ethical considered we will now explore what cascade testing means in practice.
Reflections and preparations for Week 6
Let's take some time to reflection on what you have learnt this week and prepare for our final week - the role of cascade testing and support required.
Week 6
The role of cascade testing and support required.
Introduction to Week 6 - your final week!
This is a brief introduction to Week 6, the topics you will be covering and the learning outcomes.
Cascade testing and what this means for patients and healthcare professionals
In this activity you will explore a number of definitions describing cascade testing and consider what this might mean from a patient and healthcare professionals perspective.
The role of the healthcare professional
During this activity we will consider the role healthcare professionals have to play in supporting patients and their families as part of the testing process.
The fundamentals of FH post-course quiz
At the beginning of this course we asked you to complete a pre course quiz please do take the time to redo the same quiz - correct answers are provided. Have your answers from Week 1 ready to compare - Good luck!
Summary and next steps
Final thoughts to help consolidate the work you have done during this programme and further resources which you may find useful.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Develop improved knowledge and a deeper understanding of FH including the needs of the individual and family diagnosed with this inherited condition.
- Identify those at risk of FH and provide information and support during the patient journey.
- Apply the principles of genomic counselling and testing and the implications of genomic results. Describe the role of the multi-disciplinary team and have an awareness of one's own professional responsibilities in the management of patients with FH.
Who is the course for?
This course is ideal for healthcare professionals involved in the identification and care of patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, including those in cardiac services, lipid services, primary care, and genetic counselling roles.
Who will you learn with?
I am a GP in Leeds and a GPwSI in Genetics within the Yorkshire Regional Genetics Service. I have a longstanding interest in Genetics Education and Service Development within Primary Care.
Lead Consultant Genetic Counsellor for Wessex Clinical Genetics Service and Clinical Lead for the Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Service. Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer at Southampton University.
I am Dr Deborah Leetham and am an Assistant Professor at Northumbria University. I am an adult Nurse with expertise in genomic education in which I have a PhD.
Who developed the course?
NHS England
The Workforce, Training and Education (WT&E) directorate of NHS England (NHSE) ensures the NHS in England has a sufficient and inclusive workforce with the knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver compassionate high-quality health and care to the people it serves.
NHS North Thames
We are one of seven regional services established by the NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS), each responsible for coordinating genomics for part of England. Through the work of the GMS, the NHS will become the first health service in the world to embed genomics into routine care.
NHS North East and Yorkshire
The North East and Yorkshire NHS Genomic Medicine Service (GMS) brings together regional Clinical Partners, the Genomic Laboratory Hub (GLH) and the Genomic Medicine Service Alliance (GMSA) – all working together to improve health and equity of access to genomic tests and treatments for patients in the region.
Learning on FutureLearn
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- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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