The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) has just launched an online tool to help teach nurses and physician assistants about genetics and genomics. The tool is part of NHGRI’s effort is to provide healthcare professionals the knowledge needed in this field. The Genetics/Genomics Competency Center (G2C2) was created with the guidance of an advisory group with representatives from a wide range of research and professional organizations.
G2C2 developed at the University of Virginia through a contract with NHGRI, is a free, web-based collection of materials on genetics and genomics. Nursing and physician assistant educators can use the G2C2 to find and download materials for use in their classrooms.
Users can also share their favorite genomic and genetic teaching resources and materials with other educators by uploading material, which is regularly reviewed by the center’s editorial board to ensure quality control.
To encourage sharing and also to reduce duplication across healthcare disciplines, G2C2 helps to match existing educational resources with educational competencies. The online center accomplishes this by using sophisticated, cross-mapping of learning activities and assessment, and provides outcome indicators.
“We’re very excited that physician assistants were included in this pioneering effort. Our profession has been at the vanguard of realizing the importance of genetics and genomics in the future of medicine, and encourages efforts to incorporate more of the key concepts into education and training,” said Physician Assistant Michael Rackover, M.S., an advisory group member who directs the physician assistant program at Philadelphia University.
NHGRI’s Genomic Healthcare Branch will host a webinar this spring to provide educators with a tutorial on using the tool and will be available to answer questions about the resource.
To access G2C2, go to www.g-2-c-2.org and for information on NHGRI, go to www.genome.gov.
