Continuing education and professional development: Unifying opportunities for genetic counselors globally

Genetic counseling practice is expanding globally, affecting clinical care across specialties, quantitative and qualitative research areas, academic and industry laboratories, advocacy, policy, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and education. Genetic counselors (GCs) practice at the forefront of genomic medicine, interpreting genomic data and explaining their implications to individuals and families. In recognition of GCs role in genomic medicine, some have transitioned to using the term “genomic counselors.”1 Rapid advancements in genomic testing technology and scope require a highly specialized workforce. A recent survey of European Genetic Counseling Masters programs identified enhancing the genomics technology curriculum as challenging and necessary to maintain professional standards for individuals seen for genetic counseling.2 A good working knowledge of genomics was identified as necessary for GCs to perform their job well.3 In a 2016 National Society of GCs professional status survey of practicing GCs in the United States, only 28% of respondents felt their education in genomic technologies was adequate. Those who graduated more recently felt that their training was more complete than those who graduated in more distant years, and 55% of those responding reported that additional on-the-job training was required to meet the needs of the job.