Program Overview

Genetics in Pregnancy

A genetics course designed specifically for maternity health professionals by clinicians with expertise in prenatal screening and diagnosis.

Course Overview

This course is ideal for midwives and doctors in antenatal care, covering DNA, inheritance, prenatal screening, diagnosis, and preimplantation genetic testing principles. It is developed as a joint initiative between the Mobile Learning Unit, Melbourne Medical School, Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Monash IVF Group, and the Murdoch Children's Research Institute Reproductive Epidemiology Group.

Designed For

Highly recommended for midwives and doctors providing antenatal and pre-pregnancy care to women and their partners. Also suitable for radiologists and sonographers providing obstetric ultrasound services.

Learning Outcomes

• REVISE theories of DNA and inheritance in reproductive health
• REVIEW the principles of prenatal screening and reproductive carrier screening
• ASSESS couples that are suitable for a genetic counselling referral
• APPLY RANZCOG Clinical Guidelines for prenatal screening and diagnosis of fetal chromosomal and genetic conditions
• DISCUSS options for screening with non-stigmatising language
• EVALUATE the possible advantages and disadvantages of screening beyond the common trisomies
• OUTLINE prenatal diagnosis testing and chromosome testing for patients
• EVALUATE preimplantation genetic testing for patients considering IVF

Course Units

• Tutorial 1: Genes, chromosomes and genomics
• Tutorial 2: Principles of reproductive screening
• Tutorial 3: Prenatal screening for chromosome conditions
• Tutorial 4: Genetic carrier screening
• Tutorial 5: Prenatal diagnosis of fetal genetic and chromosome conditions
• Tutorial 6: Assisted reproduction and preimplantation genetic testing

Knowledge and Skills

1. Understand the basis of genetic inheritance, mechanisms of genetic variation, and the difference between "genetics" and "genomics"
2. Apply the clinical and ethical principles underpinning prenatal screening to clinical practice
3. Identify couples that require a genetic counselling referral
4. Concisely articulate options for prenatal screening
5. Provide general information to patients about prenatal diagnostic procedures
6. Understand the indications and methods used for pre-implantation genetic testing
7. Describe the current options for genetic carrier screening
8. Recognise and reflect on the ethical considerations in prenatal genomic testing
9. Use disability-positive language when discussing genetic variation and congenital health conditions

Assessment

A Certificate is issued upon satisfactory completion of the course assessment requirements: 6 tutorial unit self-assessments and 10 case studies.

Delivery Mode

Course completion requires approximately 12 hours of eLearning. This course is delivered online and students can study in their own time and location. Course materials can be accessed using a web browser.

Accreditations

No specific accreditations mentioned.

Course Advisory Group

• Ms Caroline Carr, BN PGDipMid MMid: Clinical Midwife Consultant with experience in midwifery education and research.
• Ms Melissa Graetz, BSW GradDip(Genetic Couns) FHGSA: Genetic counselor with a central role in the Perinatal Medicine and Genetics Services.
• Dr Monica McGauran, BBiomed, MD, RANZCOG Trainee: RANZCOG trainee involved in teaching medical students.
• Dr Sewellyn Gale, MBBS DA(UK) DRANZCOG FRACGP: Rural GP, GP obstetrician, and GP anaesthetist with commitment to providing holistic continuity for women.
• Dr Simone Ridge, B Com B Soc Sci BMBS DCH FRACGP: Fellow of the RACGP with special interests in women's health and family planning.
• Ms Elizabeth Callinan, BA BSW MSocPolicy: Freelance writer advocating for timely and balanced information for prospective parents.

Who You Will Learn From

Professor Lisa Hui

Course Director, Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist, and researcher in prenatal diagnosis.

Dr Tristan Hardy

Course Director, dual-trained obstetrician, gynaecologist, and genetic pathologist, with a passion for genomics education.

Fees

For Midwives/ Sonographers/ Trainees/ Students

$305 AUD (inc GST) for online, self-paced access to all course materials for 12 months.

For Doctors (specialists/GPs)

$423.50 AUD (incl. GST).

Groups of 20+

Discounted group rates available.

Course Details

Participants should be either enrolled in, or have graduated from a midwifery, nursing, genetic counselling, genetics, or medical degree.