Heather Skirton

..To describe the experience of parents whose child has been referred for possible genetic diagnosis...

..This competence framework has the potential to improve the quality of genetic health care for patients globally...

..To compare the accuracy and appropriateness of auscultatory (manual) and oscillometric (automated) devices for measuring blood pressure in clinical settings...

..We recommend the adoption of these guidelines to provide an equitable structure for those seeking PST in any country...

..Further efforts to establish the profession at the European level through a registration process will enhance the confidence in this new group of allied health professionals...

..To ascertain the extent to which nurses are achieving the core competences in genetics appropriate for nursing practice...

..The aim of this phase was to determine whether the student midwives' educational programme had equipped them to practise competently after entry to the professional register...

..Further research into the impact of direct to consumer testing on health services and consumers is required to inform policies...

..In this paper we present the essential topics for nurse and midwife pre-registration education and suggest ways in which genetics might be incorporated into the nursing and midwifery curriculum...

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..The need for informed consent demands that the nature of screening is understood by prospective parents, but the opportunities for providing information early in pregnancy before decision-making may be limited...

..Changes to midwifery curricula and further continuing education are required to ensure that midwives are able to provide effective care regarding genetics...

..antenatal screening for fetal abnormalities is now offered to all pregnant women in many countries in Europe. Previous studies have shown that women and their partners may not make informed choices about screening...

..By comparison, in Japan, developments in genetic nursing have occurred over a shorter period of time, but minimum standards of competence already have been agreed upon...

..This paper presents a study investigating the need for closure in users of a genetic health service...

..The aim of this study was to assess understanding of genetics and attitudes towards genetic testing for clinical and research purposes in a group of older adults in the UK...

..This article, the last in this series, focuses on the ways a nurse can acquire relevant genetic information for effective practice and how this information can be communicated successfully...

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..Similar constraints might restrict the use of active learning strategies, such as simulation, that are crucial for enabling health professionals to develop competence. These issues require consideration when planning educational methods...

..We also consider that there are educational implications for both consumers and health professionals...

..The developmental process leading to the construction of clinical case studies in this resource (including theory, ethical, and practical issues) and the evaluation strategy are discussed...

..Service providers need to recognize that opportunities for the formation of relationships between the patients, staff, and carers are of utmost importance when designing palliative day care services...

..This paper is a report of an integrative review of informed consent to healthcare interventions in people with learning disabilities...

..This pilot study explored the feasibility and cost of recruiting patients for an e-health intervention in one primary care trust...

..childbearing is a significant transition, especially for first-time mothers. The objectives of this study were to explore the maternal transition from womens' perspectives and to identify any unmet needs for support...

..This paper is a report of a project to introduce and evaluate methods for using information and communication technologies to involve academic staff, students, and patients in a common synchronous e-learning environment...

..Finally, it is essential that health professionals receive sufficient education and guidelines to equip them to help patients presenting with the results of these tests...

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..This paper is a report of a review to investigate the use of games to support classroom learning in the health sciences...

..This study explored young people's perceptions of their involvement in healthcare decisions affecting their management of care...

..It is clear that genetics nurse specialists still have a considerable challenge in raising awareness about the relevance of genomics to mainstream nursing practice...

..This would help to identify possible areas of health care provision and support necessary to maximize a military spouse's experience...

..Nurses play a vital role as health care providers and advocates for the patient with Huntington disease...

..This knowledge can be used to discuss with patients and carers how best to prepare for decreasing cognition and still maintain a worthwhile quality of life...

..Data from the next phase of the study will be analyzed to validate the tool for use in both clinical audit and research contexts...

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..The information provided during the genetic counseling process may not be novel to the client, and will be received against a background of the client's previous knowledge about the condition...

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..To review international efforts to incorporate genetics content into nursing education curricula...

..Written information should include risks and limitations of testing as well as discussion of the psychological and social aspects of genetic testing...

..While the findings of this audit are an informative addition to routine activity data, further studies are required to assess the acceptability of the service to patients and the impact of the service on patient outcomes...

..Analyze ethics, public policy, and education issues that arise in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) when genomic information acquired as a result of genetic testing is introduced into healthcare services...