Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan LH (1), Shum NF (2), Leung LY (3), Wong LC (1), Lee WM (1), Chan WK(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Central Nursing Department, (2) Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, (3) Central Nursing Department, Grantham Hospital
Introduction :
Although knowledge of the clinical application of genetic and genomic practices is widely practiced, the knowledge practice gap towards genetic and genomic practices is aware. In alignment with the Hospital Authority’s strategic directions on genetic and genomic service development, a good training program for nurturing a pool of skilled and competent nursing professionals in the Hong Kong West Cluster (HKWC) is needed.
Objectives :
This paper aims to:(1) describe how we develop and train our nurses in genetic and genomic medicine, (2) explain the role of genetic nurse counselors, and (3) show their participation in Hong Kong Genome Project for genetic counseling services.
Methodology :
The genetic service started to run in both a pilot and main phases. Then a local training program was organized by HKWC in January and April 2023 followed by a virtual overseas genetics program. Training components included lectures, theories, scenario discussions, and case studies. Practical training was provided by the Hong Kong Genome Institute that prepared nurses for the role of a genetic counselor and service quality was monitored by the Genomic Project Team of HKWC. Genetic service started first in QMH then mobile team outreach services were established in cluster hospitals such as Grantham Hospital; Duchess of Kent Children’s Hospital and Tung Wah Hospital for patients’ demands on their specific nature. Quality assurance was safeguarded by continuous monitoring.
Result & Outcome :
From October 2021 till Dec 2023, 3230 participants from 2251 families were referred to genetic counseling. Clients were interviewed and indications of genetic testing, potential benefits, limitations of whole genome sequencing, and consent information were carefully explained before signing up. The genetic nurse counselors obtained: comprehensive family histories for pedigree drawing, and identified family members at risk for genomic-influenced conditions. Patients were referred from different clinical specialties and majority of them were retinal pigmenginosa, retinoblastoma; eye degeneration disease; global development delay; autism attention deficient hyperactive disorder; Brugada syndrome; ischemic/dilated cardiomyopathy; immunity; endocrine or cancer diseases, etc.
Conclusion
Given its importance, we are delighted to develop nurses’ competency in genetic and genomic clinical practice. HKWC is dedicated, determined, and proactively striving for best practice in genomic nursing practice.
