Rethinking genetic counseling clinical skills training in the time of COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on clinical training programs, including genetic counseling graduate programs. The University of Arizona Genetic Counseling Graduate Program responded to limited clinical training opportunities by designing a virtual Clinical Skills Workshop for incoming genetic counseling students. During the workshop, students were introduced to psychosocial and clinical genetics skills through virtual lectures, role-play, and practice sessions, as well as assignments. Program evaluation of the Clinical Skills Workshop demonstrated better preparation of key clinical skills prior to starting clinical rotations and highlighted areas for improvement in future iterations. Although this workshop was developed in response to clinical restrictions due to COVID-19, this approach to providing incoming students with basic clinical skills has been a valuable addition to the UAGCGP curriculum.

Keywords: COVID-19; education; genetic counseling; program evaluation.