The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), part of the National Institutes of Health, has launched an online tool to help educators teach the next generation of nurses and physician assistants about genetics and genomics. Dr. Jean Jenkins, NHGRI senior clinical advisor to the director, announced the new resource at the 2010 American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Master’s Education Conference in New Orleans. The tool is part of NHGRI’s effort to address the growing need among healthcare professionals for knowledge in this area.
The Genetics/Genomics Competency Center (G2C2), developed by the University of Virginia in Charlottesville through a contract with NHGRI, is a free, Web-based collection of materials on genetics and genomics designed for educators who train nurses and physician assistants. The online resource is available at http://www.g-2-c-2.org.
Nursing and physician assistant educators can use the Genetics/Genomics Competency Center to find and download materials for use in their classrooms. They can also share their favourite genomic and genetic teaching resources and materials with other educators by uploading material, which is regularly reviewed by the center's editorial board to ensure quality control.
The Genetics/Genomics Competency Center was created under the guidance of an advisory group made up of representatives from a wide range of research and professional organisations. In addition to AACN, participating organisations included the American Academy of Physician Assistants, National Cancer Institute, National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics, National League for Nursing, National Society of Genetic Counselors, Physician Assistant Education Association and Sigma Theta Tau International.
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