Australian Genomics recently brought together experts from around the globe to agree on a set of standards to describe genomics education and it’s evaluation, published this month in Genetics in Medicine.
Creating a competent genomic workforce requires quality genomics education for health professionals. However inconsistent descriptions of genomics education programs means there is a lack of evidence to show what works across different settings. Previous Australian Genomics research has also highlighted that genomics education is often developed by clinicians or scientists without formal education or evaluation qualifications.
Australian Genomics convened 43 experts from across 11 countries – including members of four human/medical genetics society education committees and 16 inter/national genomics initiatives – to develop reporting standards.
The “Reporting Item Standards for Genomics Education and its Evaluation (RISE2 Genomics)” include 18 items relating to development and delivery of genomics education interventions, 12 relating to evaluation, and one on stakeholder engagement.
The standards will be helpful to anyone providing this type of education, both during planning stages as well as when preparing manuscripts or reports.
The standards have been endorsed by the international EQUATOR (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) Network, as well as the Human Genetics Society of Australasia. The group are now working with other societies and journals internationally to promote and endorse RISE2 Genomics as the expected standards to report genomics education and evaluation, and create a robust evidence base for high-quality genomics education across diverse settings.