Model for Incorporating Genetics and Genomics into Nursing Education

Advances in genetics and genomics have allowed a greater exploration of the link between genetic differences and the occurrence of common chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. With this, comes a furthering understanding of the multi-factorial causes of disease and illness. Given that 100% of human disease results from interactions between genetics and the environment, it is essential that recent advances in the field of genetics/genomics be incorporated into all levels of nursing education. This presentation will outline essential knowledge and curricular strategies for nursing faculty to educated students and their colleagues in providing competent care given a patient\u27s genetic background. A case study utilizing the US Surgeon General\u27s Family Health History Initiative, a free online tool that allows the construction of a pedigree based on family history assessment will be demonstrated live. The resulting pedigree in conjunction with the family history assessment will be used to discuss more complex concepts, such as susceptibility and risk and their application to determine which screening and diagnostic testing is most appropriate. One relevant application will revolve around the discussion of the 2009 US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation for women to begin regular, biennial screening mammography for breast cancer at 50 years of age. Whether or not the above recommendation should be followed by all women will depend in large part on their genetic risk profile