GeNotes: Supporting clinicians with the genomics revolution
We explore the collaborative approach behind, and design of, the programme’s flagship genomics education resource
When it comes to leveraging the power of genomics for NHS patients, health professionals need reliable, digestible, easy-access support. GeNotes – genomic notes for clinicians – aims to provide just that, and is the result of collaboration with clinicians at the heart of the health service.
The missing piece of the puzzle
Many clinicians working across different medical specialties would admit that they struggle to keep pace with the rapidly evolving landscape of genomic testing. And while the Genomics Education Programme’s raft of learning resources appeal to those who are actively seeking education and training, the fact remains that many busy clinicians simply cannot find the time.
Enter GeNotes, which supplies ‘just-in-time’ information (meaning it is available at the point of need) for clinicians who are requesting or receiving results from genomic testing. There are two tiers of resources. ‘In the Clinic’ articles are based around clinical scenarios, specific to each specialty, and offer practical guidance about which patients are eligible for genomic testing, which test to choose and how to navigate the samples and forms required, as well as how to interpret and act on results. Underpinning ‘Knowledge Hub’ resources provide a deeper dive into topics such as core genomics concepts, conditions, technologies and therapies.
Collaboration is key
Educationalists and online learning specialists within the programme have worked closely with working groups of healthcare professionals from a range of medical specialties to co-design and co-produce GeNotes.
This collaborative approach ensures that resources can be tailored to each specialty group’s specific training needs. The evidence base for using this approach suggests that it results in increased engagement, meaning a more informed workforce and better outcomes for patients.
Evaluation data gathered during the user testing process demonstrated excellent feedback across various domains including content, likelihood of use and recommendation to colleagues. GeNotes has now received over one million page views and been accessed by over 600,000 users worldwide.
You can read more about the development and evaluation of the GeNotes resource in the recently published paper ‘Genotes – a ‘just-in-time’ genomics education resource co-designed with clinicians’.
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