The attitudes and views of UK non-genetics trainee medical specialists to genetics in their training programmes and clinical practice
Purpose: Many initiatives are attempting to increase appropriate genetics education for doctors but little is known of the attitudes and views of non-genetics trainee medical specialists. Understanding their views on genetics in training and clinical practice is important for effective genetics education.
Methods: Focus groups, questionnaires and interviews were used to explore the attitudes and views of 143 trainee medical specialists from four medical specialties (general practice, neurology, cardiology and dermatology) in two regions in England (West Midlands and South West).
Results: Trainees from all specialties reported little formal genetics provision in their current training programmes. Trainee family practitioners and trainee hospital consultant specialists in neurology and dermatology thought genetics should be included in their formal training; some cardiology trainees did not agree.
The issue of overcrowded curricula and adding more topics to training was raised by all four specialties. All groups indicated the importance of ensuring the relevance of any genetics taught to the daily clinical practice of their specialty.
Family practice and hospital specialty trainees differed in their views on what genetics topics should be included in formal programmes. Identifying and referring families appropriately, and the implications of results, were the focus for family practice trainees. Specialty trainees prioritised the specific genetics and management of conditions relevant to their specialty.
Conclusions: For maximum effectiveness, genetics education should address participants’
clinical practice. Knowledge of trainees views and attitudes towards genetics is important in tailoring the content and delivery of genetics education.
Raising awareness of the relevance of genetics to non-genetics specialties’ clinical practice remains an issue. Involving specialty trainers in the development and delivery of genetics education may help address this.
www.geneticseducation.nhs.uk