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Table 4 Details of educational interventions by study

From: A systematic review of interventions to provide genetics education for primary care

Study

Educational theory

Type of delivery

Focus

Content

Cases

Bethea et al. (2008) [24]

Educational outreach (Thomson et al. 2001 [36])

1. Tailored input into primary care practices by a genetic counsellor.

2. Face to face update sessions on relevant topics (3 sessions offered)

3. Practical tools such as referral guidelines and family history forms.

4. Opportunity for genetic counsellor to deal with patient queries.

To facilitate use of familial cancer guidelines and provide support to primary care on genetics issues.

Update sessions on:

• Familial cancer referral guidelines

• Risk assessment

• Support and management of patients.

• Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer

• hereditary bowel cancer cancer

• haemochromatosis, cystic fibrosis, Marfan syndrome, fragile X and hypercholestrolaemia.

Carroll et al.

(2009) [25]

Not stated

One-day face to face interactive workshop. Powerpoint files available online later.

To increase confidence of professional to become a resource on genetic health for other professionals in their communities

• Family history taking

• Risk assessment

• Referral to genetic services

• Advantages and disadvantages of genetic testing

• Obtaining resources

• Ethical issues

• Alzheimer disease

• hereditary breast cancer

• hereditary colon cancer

• cystic fibrosis

• haemochromatosis

• prenatal genetic screening.

Carroll et al. (2011) [26]

Not stated

One face to face interactive workshop session of 60 min.

Portfolio of tools that could be used in primary care practice.

Information sheet on current topics sent to participants every two weeks during the trial.

To improve referral decisions, confidence and knowledge relevant to primary care genetics.

• Practical medical genetics information

• Risks, benefits and limitations of genetic testing including psychosocial risks, confidentiality and insurance issues.

• Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer

• Hereditary colorectal cancer.

Clyman et al. (2007) [27]

Evidence based approach (Davis et al. 1995 [37])

Over two years, a 60 min face to face lecture each quarter (8 lectures in total) and a monthly 45 min didactic seminar.

To enable family physicians to provide appropriate services to patients with family or personal history of birth defects or mental retardation.

• Prenatal genetics

• Maternal serum screening

• Principles of medical genetics

• Cytogenetics

• Pedigree clinic

• Dysmorphology in primary care

• Genetics of common inherited disorders

• Inherited cancer syndromes in primary care

• Biochemical genetics

• Genetic testing

• Prenatal ultrasound anomalies

• States case-based approach but no examples given.

Emery et al. (2007) [28]

Not stated.

Computer decision support tool for familial cancer.

One 45 min face to face educational session on familial cancer for medical and nursing staff in participating practices.

One 90 min training session for lead clinician on use of the software.

Familial cancer risk assessment.

• Risk assessment for familial cancer

• Referral guidelines for familial cancer.

None stated.

Houwink et al. (2014) [29]

Kirkpatrick (1967) [15] framework

4 h face to face training programme, including role play.

Oncogenetic consultation skills

• Family history taking

• Genetic risk assessment

• Referral

• Ethical issues

• Clinical knowledge required for cancer genetics.

Hereditary cancers:

• Breast and ovarian cancer

• Colorectal cancer

• Skin cancer.

Houwink et al. (2014) [30]

Kirkpatrick (1967) [15] framework

2 h online course.

Oncogenetic consultation skills

• Family history taking

• Genetic risk assessment

• Common types of hereditary cancer

• Referral guidelines

• Possibilities and limitations of genetic testing

• Clinical surveillance options

Hereditary cancers:

• Colorectal cancer,

• Breast and ovarian cancer.

Laberge et al. (2009) [31]

Not stated

Eight case-based modules delivered to trainers in a national workshop over a period of six months

Enhance faculty ability to teach genetics to primary care trainees.

Not supplied

Not supplied in the paper. Retrieved from Burke et al. (2002)[38, 42].

Metcalfe et al. (2005) [32]

Not stated

One case-based workshop (duration not stated).

Participants also given an information pack including materials about the genetic service.

Enhance GP knowledge of prenatal tests in practice

• Prenatal counseling

• Prevalence of birth defects

• Counseling and informed choice

• Screening for thalassaemia

• Screening versus diagnostic testing

• Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis

Two cases. Content not stated.

Srinivasan et al. (2014) [33]

Kern (1998) [38] - curricular development model

Interactive web-based programme.

ELSI genetics

• Core concepts in genetics

• ELSI cultural issues

• Medical ethics and law

• Risk metrics/disease screening

• Maternal fetal medicine.

• Alzheimer disease

• androgen insensitivity

• breast cancer

• colon cancer

• cystic fibrosis

• Down syndrome

• haemochromatosis

• Huntington disease

• Klinefelter syndrome

• thrombophilia.

Wilson et al. (2005) [34]

Not stated

Educational session on cancer genetics and use of relevant clinical software.

Cancer genetics

• Referral guide

• Genetic basis of cancers

• Patient information

• Contact information for local specialists.

• Breast and ovarian cancer

• colorectal cancer.