Redlinger-Grosse Krista, Anderson Kimberly, Birkeland Laura, Zaleski Christina, Reiser Catherine
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, Institute of Human Genetics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
University of Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene and University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.
J Genet Couns. 2021 Aug;30(4):1069-1073. doi: 10.1002/jgc4.1408. Epub 2021 Mar 31.
Prior to COVID-19, the field of genetic counseling was responding to a workforce shortage in patient-facing roles through efforts to increase the training capacity within existing programs, as well as development of new programs. These efforts were hindered by the number and capacity of fieldwork training sites. COVID-19 heightened this barrier with a sudden restriction on student training for an indefinite period of time. The onset of these restrictions highlighted the need to think creatively and, more importantly, collaboratively for ways to not only expand but also maintain fieldwork training capacity. Described here are two different collaborative efforts in response to pandemic-related cancellations of important curriculum components: 1) the development of clinical simulation experiences and coursework shared between two ACGC accredited training programs; and 2) the creation of a virtual laboratory curriculum between an ACGC accredited training program and a non-academic laboratory partner. This Professional Issues paper illustrates how collaboration with our academic and non-academic colleagues benefits students, training programs and non-academic partners beyond the needs of the initial crisis of a global pandemic.
在新冠疫情之前，遗传咨询领域就已通过努力提高现有项目的培训能力以及开发新项目，来应对面向患者岗位的劳动力短缺问题。实地培训场所的数量和容量阻碍了这些努力。新冠疫情突然对学生培训进行了无限期限制，加剧了这一障碍。这些限制的出现凸显了创造性思考的必要性，更重要的是，要通过合作来寻找不仅能扩大而且能维持实地培训能力的方法。本文介绍了针对与疫情相关的重要课程内容取消而开展的两项不同合作举措：1）两个经美国遗传咨询认证委员会（ACGC）认证的培训项目之间共享临床模拟体验和课程作业；2）一个经ACGC认证的培训项目与一个非学术实验室合作伙伴之间创建虚拟实验室课程。这篇专业问题论文阐述了与学术和非学术同事的合作如何在全球大流行这一初始危机的需求之外，使学生、培训项目和非学术合作伙伴受益。
