General Medical Sciences
Genome analysis Image courtesy of the National Institute of
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) has created an online toolkit to help nurses integrate genomics into patient care.
The Method for Introducing a New Competency Genomics (MINC) website provides resources for nursing leaders at all levels of genomics competency, ranging from basic knowledge about genomics to its practical impact on healthcare systems and policies.
The resources are intended to help practicing nurses care for patients undergoing genomic testing and treatments, build awareness in their communities, and understand how to prepare their workforce for emerging clinical applications.
“The MINC toolkit is a starting point for healthcare providers who want to promote genomic integration into practice to benefit their patients,” said Laura Lyman Rodriguez, PhD, director of the Division of Policy, Communication and Education at NHGRI.
“It was designed based on the efforts of magnet hospital nurses whose experiences were used in the design and foundation for the toolkit.”
The toolkit is structured in a question and answer format, allowing users to tailor their interventions based on the resources that will work best for them in their clinical setting.
A key feature of the toolkit is “Champion Stories.” These video testimonials from health administrators and educators describe how they overcame barriers as they developed the necessary genomics knowledge to offer personalized care to their patients.
