Genetic education for non-geneticist health professionals.

OBJECTIVES

It was the aim of this study to assess educational needs and priorities in genetics amongst non-genetic health professionals.

METHODS

The methods used included website reviews and direct contact with individuals and organisations involved in health professional education.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Health professional education and training differed in structure with wide variation in the content and duration of genetics education provided. Evidence from the UK, France and Germany indicates that genetics professionals are influencing the genetics content of medical curricula. In post-graduate training, some specialist regulators have adopted specific genetics education requirements, but many programmes lack any explicit genetics. We show that within each country, a sometimes confusing plethora of organisations has responsibility for setting, assessing and delivering medical and midwifery education.