World congress on Genetic Counselling 2021
Taking place 27–28 October 2021 at the Wellcome Genome Campus, the third world congress on genetic counselling provided a forum that facilitates active engagement between international researchers and practitioners to explore the evidence that guides genetic counselling and the communication of genetics in medicine. Exploring the evidence that guides genetic counselling to improve patient care Communicating the meaning and impact of genomic sequencing technology for people, is just as important as the technological advances themselves. Understanding how genomic information ‘makes sense’ for individuals, families and wider society will benefit from empirical genetic counselling research.
The conference brought together:
- Clinicians (genetic counsellors, genetic nurses, clinical/medical geneticists, and others using genetic technology in their practice)
- Academics (social scientists, psychologists and ethicists)
The programme explored, empirically, what is at the heart of genetic counselling. We focused on professional and leadership issues in genetic counselling, including cross-cultural counselling, reaching traditionally underserved populations, and ‘mainstreaming’ of genetic counselling the wider health service. We discussed how counselling and sociological theory can influence genetic counselling practice and will involve genetic counsellors who are leading their own research.
All of these videos can be downloaded on Vimeo (Read a how-to guide).
Keynote Lecture – Prof Chris Patch – Development of GC in the UK: conversations with those who were there
Keynote lecture by Professor Christine Patch (Wellcome Connecting Science, UK) at World Congress for Genetic Counselling 2021, organised by Wellcome Connecting Science Courses and Conferences.
Session 1 – Evolution of the genetic counselling profession around the world
Watch the entirety of the first session of our virtual World Congress for Genetic Counselling 2021 conference. Organised by Wellcome Connecting Science Courses and Conferences.
Introduction to the session
Chair: Charlotta Ingvoldstad Malmgren, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden
Professional development of genetic counsellors in Asia
Juliana Lee, Professional Society of Genetic Counselors in Asia
The development of genetic counselling profession across Europe: the role of the European Board of Medical Genetics
Milena Paneque, University of Porto, Portugal
Genetic counsellors, legal recognition, and the road less travelled: A Canadian perspective learned
Ma’n Zawanti, McGill University Canada
Genetic counselling education during COVID-19: Lessons
Jan Hodgson, The University of Melbourne, Australia Lightning talks
Lightening talks
Q&A
Chair: Charlotta Ingvoldstad Malmgren, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden
Moderator: Annie Qurratulain Hasan, Kamineni hospital, L.B Nagar, Hyderabad, India
Session 2/Panel – Futuristic genetic counselling – working as part of MDTs/mainstreaming/evolving diagnostics
Watch the entirety of the second session of our virtual World Congress for Genetic Counselling 2021 conference. Organised by Wellcome Connecting Science Courses and Conferences.
Introduction to the session
Chair: Anna Middleton, Wellcome Connecting Science, UK
Catherine Beard, Melbourne Health, Australia
Stephanie Cohen, Ascension St. Vincent, USA
Alessia Costa, Wellcome Connecting Science, UK
Emily Higgs, Stanford University, USA
Session 3 – Researching the boundaries of genetic counselling
Watch the entirety of the third session of our virtual World Congress for Genetic Counselling 2021 conference. Organised by Wellcome Connecting Science Courses and Conferences.
Introduction to the session
Chair: Jehannine Austin, The University of British Columbia, Canada
The asset of technologies to genetic counseling
Barbara Biesecker, RTI international, USA
GCs with PhDs: Establishing a community of practice for genetic counselors with advanced degres
Rachel Mills, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA
Psychiatric genetic counseling is associated with a decrease in psychiatric
hospitalization
Emily Morris, University of British Columbia, Canada
Counselling supervision: are we practicing in a safe environment at genetic
services?
Lídia Guimarães, Aajude, Portugal
Lightning talks
Q&A
Chair: Jehannine Austin, The University of British Columbia, Canada
Moderator: Anna Middleton, Wellcome Connecting Science, UK
Session 4 – Genetic counselling in a patriarchal society
Watch the entirety of the fourth session of our virtual World Congress for Genetic Counselling 2021 conference. Organised by Wellcome Connecting Science Courses and Conferences.
Introduction to the session
Chair: Annie Qurratulain Hasan, Kamineni hospital, L.B Nagar, Hyderabad, India
Genetic counseling experiences in handling an X linked disorder in a patriarchal
society- Case duchenne muscular dystrophy
B.R Lakshmi, Molecular Diagnostics, Counseling, Care & Research Centre (MDCRC),India
Ethical and Cultural Challenges faced in Genetic Counseling in the UAE
Sonika-Sachanandani Phulwani, Mediclinic Middle East, UAE
Challenges of Genetic testing and Counseling in families with life threatening Long QT syndromes
Bijal (Ria) Vyas, Institute of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
Genetic Democracy: Dismantling Patriarchal Influences through education, empowerment & by being creative in a genetic counselling setting
Niby J E, Bluegene Healthtech Pvt Ltd, India
Q&A
Chair: Annie Qurratulain Hasan, Kamineni hospital, L.B Nagar, Hyderabad, India
Moderator: Charlotta Ingvoldstad Malmgren, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden
Session 5 – Genetic counsellors and communication
Watch the entirety of the fifth session of our virtual World Congress for Genetic Counselling 2021 conference. Organised by Wellcome Connecting Science Courses and Conferences.
Introduction to the session
Chair: Charlotta Ingvoldstad Malmgren, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden
So… what is genetic counselling>? Communicating what we do; lessons from science
communication
Jonathan Roberts, Wellcome Connecting Science, UK
Genetic counselling and genetic testing in Russia
Vera Izhevskaya, Research Centre for Medical Genetics, Russia
Risk profiles of psychological distress after cancer susceptibility genetic testing
Adrià López, Vall d’Hebron Universitary Hospital, Spain
Health professionals experiences and perceptions on termination of pregnancy for serious congenital
Malebo Malope, Stellebosch University, South Africa
Lightning talks
Q&A
Chair: Charlotta Ingvoldstad Malmgren, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden
Moderator: Anna Middleton, Wellcome Connecting Science, UK
Session 6/Panel – Use of counselling supervision
Watch the entirety of the sixth session of our virtual World Congress for Genetic Counselling 2021 conference. Organised by Wellcome Connecting Science Courses and Conferences.
Introduction to the session
Chair: Anna Middleton, Wellcome Connecting Science, UK
Mark Lough, Mark Lough Consulting Ltd, UK
Liz Brimacombe, Principal Counselling Psychologist, UK
Session 7 – Leaders in genetic counselling: case studies and stories of leadership
Watch the entirety of the seventh session of our virtual World Congress for Genetic Counselling 2021 conference. Organised by Wellcome Connecting Science Courses and Conferences.
Introduction to the session
Chair: Jehannine Austin, The University of British Columbia, Canada
Navigating across sectors: Policy and the profession
Clara Gaff, Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance, Australia
Evolvement of genetic counsellors in Sweden- The long and winding road
Charlotta Ingvoldstad Malmgren, Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden & Rebecka Pestoff, Linköpings University Hospital, Sweden
Past, present and future of genetic counseling in India
Maya Thangavelu, Applied Genetics Consulting, USA
Diversity and inclusion in genomics: A competence framework
Saghira Malik Sharif, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
Lightning talks
Q&A
Chair: Jehannine Austin, The University of British Columbia, Canada
Moderator: Anna Middleton, Wellcome Connecting Science, UK
Part of our Resources for Genetic Counsellors