Thirty-years of genetic counselling education in Europe: a growing professional area.

Abstract

Abstract Genetic counselling education and training in Europe spans a continuum of 30 years. More master programs are opening due to the demand for qualified genetic counsellors. This report describes the evolution of training in Europe and the current state of genetic counselling training programs. Directors of master programs in Europe were invited to complete an online survey describing their program, including; year of commencement, course duration, number of students, frequency of intake and number graduating. Results of the survey were presented at a closed meeting at the European Society of Human Genetics conference in 2022 along with a facilitated stakeholder engagement session in which 19 professionals participated to understand the challenges in delivering genetic counselling education in Europe. A total of 10 active programs exists in Europe with the first training program established in 1992. The majority of training programs have a 2-year duration, with just over half of programs having an annual intake of students. Up to May 2022, 710 students have graduated from genetic counselling training programs across Europe. Of these, 670 students graduated from European Board of Medical Genetics-registered programs. Arranging clinical placements, clinical and counselling supervision of students, research collaboration for MSc research projects and incorporating genomics into the curriculum were identified as current challenges for genetic counselling education. Genetic counselling is still a developing profession in Europe and this historical and current view of the European genetic counsellor pathways, allows for educational and professional standards to be examined as the profession evolves into the future.