Genomic medicine master's degree program for medical students

This Project Grant award from the National Human Genome Research Institute (CFDA 93.172 - Human Genome Research) will support the development of a one-year Master of Science (MS) program in Genomic Medicine for UCSF medical students. The $485,847 award, with a period of performance from September 2024 to August 2027, will fund the creation of innovative educational strategies and course content to train future physicians in the clinical applications of genetics and genomics. Key focus areas will include genetic technologies, variant interpretation, specialty-specific genomic content, ethical implications, and research methods. The program aims to increase the number of genomically-literate physicians by providing UCSF medical students with comprehensive training to confidently incorporate genomics into their clinical practice. The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco, a prominent academic medical center, will be responsible for designing and delivering the MS program curriculum.

Abstract

Advances in human genomics are transforming the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease. However, there are too few clinical geneticists and genetic counselors to meet rising demand, and non-geneticist clinicians feel under-prepared to incorporate genetics into medical practice. To further explore this GAP, we conducted a needs assessment study with ucsf clinicians to identify unmet educational needs. Our results indicate that providers (including clinical faculty, staff and trainees) need more training in order to confidently use genetics and genomics in their practice, particularly in the types and utility of genetic tests, interpretation and communication of results, direct-to-consumer genetic testing, ethical issues and informed consent. These results reinforce the need to produce more genomically-literate physicians. To help meet this need, we plan to develop a one-year master of science (MS) program in genomic medicine for ucsf medical students. A survey of our medical students in all four years has identified substantial interest in such a program, foreshadowing success in recruiting an exceptional cadre of budding physicians to this program. Enrolled students will participate in the MS program after completing their clinical clerkships. Educational strategies will incorporate innovative modalities that accentuate active learning, emphasize clinical applications of genetics and genomics, and promote cognitive integration. Courses will be taught through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous approaches. Course content will include foundational principles of human and molecular genetics; genomic technologies, informatics and variant interpretation; specialty-specific content including cancer genomics, reproductive genetics, neurogenetics, genetics of cardiovascular disease and psychiatric disorders; genomics laboratory processes; clinical-translational research methods and interpretation of literature; ethical, legal and social implications and policies; and a comprehensive exam assessing ability to apply genomics to clinical practice. A team of faculty with extensive expertise in genetics and genomics will collaborate to develop and teach the content. Courses will be evaluated by students, and feedback will guide course and program continual improvement. Student competency will be assessed using a combination of quizzes and exams with multiple-choice and open-ended questions and clinical simulations. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion will be reflected in our student recruitment, including significant outreach to our substantial number of URM medical students; our faculty and learning environment, including lantinx and african american faculty and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training for all faculty; and our curriculum content. Our program will be disseminated through presentations at medical education meetings (including aphmg, acmg, iamse, wgea, and aamc), sharing course curricula with other medical schools (e.g., aphmg genetics education resource exchange), and publishing specific educational materials (e.g., mededportal).