Genetic Counselling for Healthcare Professionals

Introduction:

This course provides practical guidance on genetic counselling in haemoglobin disorders, including thalassaemia and sickle cell disease. It is designed for healthcare professionals who support affected individuals and families, particularly those without formal training in genetic counselling.

Through a patient-centred approach, the course covers key concepts in genetics, communication, and ethical practice, aiming to strengthen participants’ skills in delivering clear, compassionate, and effective care.

Aims and goals:

To enhance understanding of the fundamental principles of genetics relevant to haemoglobin disorders.
To develop competence in delivering effective and compassionate genetic counselling to carriers, patients, couples and families.
To strengthen communication skills for explaining complex genetic information in a clear and accessible manner.
To promote ethical awareness and good clinical practice in the context of genetic counselling.
To support healthcare professionals without formal training in genetic counselling to confidently address the needs of affected individuals and families.
To improve the overall quality of care provided to patients with haemoglobin disorders.

Requirements for participation:

This course is recommended for paediatricians, haematologists, internal medicine specialists, obstetricians/gynaecologists and genetic counsellors who are interested in learning more about haemoglobinopathies. Other healthcare professionals involved in providing genetic counselling, such as laboratory scientists and registered nurses, may also enrol, provided they hold a minimum of a university bachelor’s degree.

The content was developed by international experts in the field of haemoglobin disorders and genetic counselling. This online, self-paced course consists of an introduction, five comprehensive modules, and a concluding section. Each module contains several chapters of varying length, designed according to the importance and complexity of the respective subject area.

Upon completion of all modules, participants may take the final assessment to obtain a certificate of achievement.

MODULE 1: Interpretation & Explaining Diagnostic Procedures	MODULE 2: Understanding of the Various Clinical Syndromes	MODULE 3: Counselling Basics	MODULE 4: Counselling Skills	MODULE 5: Culture & Ethics
Diagnosing Carriers & Patients	Rare Types of Thalassaemia	Modes of Inheritance	Principles of Counselling	Legal Issues in Testing & Counselling
Health Concerns of the Carrier	Clinical Management of Thalassaemia	Drawing a Pedigree	Shared Decision Making & Consent for Genetic Testing	Ethical Issues
Genetics – Basic Principles	Conveying Genetic Test Limitations & Scope	Pedigree Patterns & Examples	Conveying Risk and Complex Information	Cultural Perceptions of Genetic Disease Across the World
Genomics in Health – Variant Types & Pathogenicity	Genetic Counselling for SCD		Managing Family Consultations & Dynamics	Choices for the at-risk Couple & Family Planning Options
Genetic Test Technologies	Counselling for Hydrops Fetalis		Impact of Haemoglobinopathies on Patients & Families
Practical Applications of Genetic Testing			Counselling for the ‘Milder’ Syndromes
			Communicating Genetic Results
			Understanding the Genetic Report
			The Genetic Report as a Lifelong Patient Aid

Certificate:

After passing the final assessment, participants can download their personal ‘Certificate of Achievement’, which serves as evidence of their understanding of the course content. It is important to note that successful completion of the assessments and the award of certification do not equate to, or replace, formal university-level training in genetic counselling specialisation, or professional expertise.

Cost:

The course is offered free of charge to interested individuals.

Registration:

You may access the course material by easily creating an account on TIF e-Academy.