• Wellcome Connecting Science

Genomic Scenarios in Primary Care

Explore the role of genomics within primary care and learn how to manage patients with direct to consumer test results.

1,693 enrolled on this course

Doctor speaking to a patient
  • Duration

    3 weeks
  • Weekly study

    3 hours
  • Digital upgrade

    Free

Discover the role of genomics and genomic testing within primary care

The public are increasingly bringing results from genomic tests obtained through commercial routes. Most patients will present within primary care, but they may approach any clinician involved in their care. It is crucial that healthcare professionals presented with results from genomic testing have a working knowledge of how to manage these patients.

This unique course will give you the tools you need to understand the process of genomic testing within the primary care sector and the difference between direct to consumer testing.

Recognise how genomics issues may present within primary care

You’ll get an initial overview of day-to-day genomics within the primary healthcare sector and the role that testing plays in finding changes in genes that may cause health problems.

You’ll also understand how to use patient and family history as a tool to assess genomic risk.

Learn about direct to consumer testing and understand its limitations

Many people are now using direct to consumer testing – genetic tests that can be bought online or in stores. You’ll discover the difference between these sorts of tests and their limitations in terms of results.

You’ll then identify clinically relevant information from different sorts of tests and will study how to manage the patient pathway using familial data in line with data governance.

Study with practising GPs who will share their expertise in genomics

Offering extensive knowledge of primary care, genomic medicine and direct to consumer testing, your learning will be applied to clinical practice.

You’ll hear from practitioners working at the cutting edge of genomic medicine within primary care.

What topics will you cover?

  • The types of genomic testing available
  • Considerations and limitations of commercial genomic testing
  • An overview of the NHS Genomics Medicine Service
  • Assessment and management of patients presenting with genomic test results
  • Ethical and communication issues pertaining to genomic testing

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...

  • Recognise how genomics issues may present in primary care
  • Use patient and family history as a tool to assess genomic risk
  • Communicate with patients about DTC testing and its limitations
  • Identify clinically relevant information from different types of genetic and genomic tests
  • Manage the patient pathway and institute appropriate clinical management of genetic and genomic concerns
  • Use familial data in accordance with ethical and data governance principles

Who is the course for?

This course is primarily for frontline primary care clinicians within the UK (GPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Physician Associates) as well as medical students, trainees and educators interested in primary care worldwide.

What software or tools do you need?

None other than an interest in genomics or the use of genomics in clinical practice

Who will you learn with?

I am GP with a strong interest in genetics. I am a Reader in Primary Care and Genomics at the Institute for Medical and Biomedical Education, St George's University of London

I am a GP trainer in South London with an interest in genomics

I'm a GP and educationalist with a special interest in end of life care and communication skills.

Will Evans is a GP in Leeds and a researcher at the University of Nottingham. He has a long interest in rare and genetic diseases and the role of primary care.

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.

Who developed the course?

Wellcome Connecting Science

Wellcome Connecting Science develops and delivers open postgraduates courses and conferences focused on biomedicine.

What's included?

Wellcome Connecting Science are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • Tests to validate your learning
  • A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible
  • Learning on FutureLearn

    Your learning, your rules

    • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
    • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
    • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

    Join a global classroom

    • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
    • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
    • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

    Map your progress

    • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
    • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
    • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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