Sandie Pisieczko

This course will provide students with an understanding of cancer genetic counseling through a case-based study of clinical services. Students will be introduced to the anatomy and physiology of affected organs, screening modalities, and treatment options; become familiar with the pathology and cancer genetic counseling; interpret pedigrees and utilize cancer risk models; understand testing criterion, options, and interpretation of results; and explore the psychosocial aspects of hereditary cancer syndromes.

This practicum course will utilize a simulated patient model to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate and assess their skill levels in competencies necessary for the practice of genetic counseling. Students will participate in prepared role-playing exercises, followed by class discussion and feedback. The course structure will allow students to demonstrate competence in key skills, assess their own strengths and weaknesses and those of their peers, and formulate a plan for addressing areas needing improvement.

Students will be introduced to skills necessary for genetic counseling. The course will be structured around key components of a genetic-counseling encounter. Readings will provide foundational knowledge of relevant concepts, and class discussions will encourage comparison of different perspectives and applications. Course instructors will demonstrate each skill; students will then engage in skill development through role-play, peer feedback, and self-assessment.

This course will utilize a simulated patient model to provide students with the opportunity to practice genetic-counseling skills and build self-efficacy in a low-stakes learning environment. Students will participate in live, facilitated, simulated patient encounters, followed by individualized verbal and written feedback and small-group debrief sessions.

Fundamentals of Genetic Counseling 1 introduces students to skills necessary for genetic counseling. The course is structured around key components of a genetic counseling encounter. Readings provide foundational knowledge of relevant concepts and class discussions encourage comparison of different perspectives and applications. Course instructors demonstrate each skill and students then engage in skill development through role-play, peer feedback, and self-assessment.

The Medical Genetics Seminar courses introduce students to topics relevant to clinical genetic counseling. Students learn from and interact with experts in their respective fields, gaining an in-depth understanding of fundamental genetic conditions and syndromes as well as current counseling issues and practices. Students will apply their new understanding by utilizing team-based learning activities and case discussions.