Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT): An Introduction for Healthcare Professionals

Name: Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT): An Introduction for Healthcare Professionals
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4.7 (23 reviews)

5,041 enrolled on this course

3 weeks
2 hours per week
Digital certificate when eligible
Intermediate level

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Learn about the history, limitations, and ethical considerations of NIPT

Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is a timely issue in the UK. Already available within the private healthcare system, this maternal blood test is set to be offered by England’s National Health Service this year (NHS)

On this course, healthcare professionals will be introduced to the development, technology, along with ethical and legal considerations of NIPT. You will consider how and when to discuss NIPT with patients and the importance of patient choice. You will reflect on current NIPT practices, your personal experiences in the healthcare system, and improvements for the future.

What topics will you cover?

Overview of genetics: The fundamentals that underpin genomics
NIPT: The discovery of fetal cell free DNA
Developments of the scientific technology behind NIPT
Clinical implementation and limitations of NIPT
Information provision, communication and individualised choice
Social and ethical implications of screening
Current concerns and future developments of NIPT

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...

Describe cell division and how it can lead to Patau’s, Edwards’ and Down’s syndrome
Apply basic genetic knowledge to understand NIPT screening in pregnancy
Describe the different technologies currently available for NIPT
Describe how an NIPT trisomy risk is calculated
Demonstrate an understanding of the current NHS screening pathways in the UK
Discuss the limitations of NIPT testing, and where NIPT may not be an appropriate screening choice
Explain the potential causes of a false positive, false negative and a no-call result
Discuss importance of informed choice, and what can influence decision making
Explore the challenges of language, terminology and communication in the healthcare setting
Debate the social and ethical implications that are presented by availability of NIPT
Reflect on the potential risks and benefits of future developments for NIPT

Who is the course for?

This course is for midwives, sonographers, and obstetricians. It is also ideal for GPs and genetic counsellors. Although the course will assume knowledge of healthcare at some point, the course might also be of interest to people considering NIPT.

Healthcare professionals might find the the Certificate of Achievement for this course useful for providing evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), or commitment to their career. You will need to upgrade on this course to receive a Certificate of Achievement when you are eligible.

Who developed the course?

St George's, University of London

St George’s is the UK’s only university dedicated to medical and health sciences education, training and research.


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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$39.99/month

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

Access to this course
Access to 1,000+ courses
Learn at your own pace
Discuss your learning in comments
Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

Access to this course
Learn at your own pace
Discuss your learning in comments
Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Continue & Upgrade

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

Access expires 9 May 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

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