title: Addressing the issue of e-learning and online genetics for health professionals.
abstract: Health-care professionals need an appropriate genetics knowledge base to care for patients and their families. However, studies have indicated that nurses and midwives lack the requisite genetics knowledge to practice effectively and safely, with a paucity of resources to address their educational needs. This paper describes an action research study aimed at developing an online genetics resource for students and practitioners in a range of health professions. A literature review of current health-care genetics education was undertaken. In the first phase of the action cycle, a sample of nurses and midwives were surveyed using a questionnaire to discover their perceived learning needs and the acceptability of an e-learning approach. Using the findings, an online resource for health professionals was developed, by means of a life stage structure to expedite accessibility. 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.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Devon, UK. kgresty@plymouth.ac.uk
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gresty
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Skirton
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Evenden
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003197:Computer Literacy; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods; D003479:Curriculum; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005826:Genetics, Medical / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D009862:Online Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom