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Biomedical subjects

Maryanne Aitken

Publications and source records attributed to Maryanne Aitken.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Educating genetic counselors in Australia: developing an international perspective.

The demand for genetic counseling services is increasing worldwide. This paper highlights the Australian experience of genetic counselor education and the history of the profession. The relevance of local factors, including the health care system, the education system and the small population in the evolution of the 1-year training programs are considered as an alternative model for emerging programs. The development of the education and training processes compared to that of other countries namely the United States of America (USA), the United Kingdom (UK) and Canada is discussed. The importance of international collaborations between the programs, to facilitate academic discussion and possible curriculum innovations, and to maintain professional understanding between genetic counselors is emphasized. Core genetic counseling competencies have been published for the UK and USA and an Australian set is proposed. In conclusion future directions are considered, including international issues around genetic counseling certification, reciprocity, and the potential for an Australian role in training genetic counselors in South East Asia.

Australia↗
PubMed2004

Medical students' views about Modernising Medical Careers: a questionnaire survey of London students.

A survey of London medical students asked for their views of the changes to postgraduate medical education starting in August 2005. The majority had clear ideas about their career plans and did not want their career held back by the introduction of an extra year. They overwhelmingly preferred to start their early training in or reasonably near to where they had undertaken their medical studies.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2002

Using a competence framework to select future medical specialists.

Postgraduate deans in one UK region have developed a competence framework for selection of specialist registrars. This paper describes the process by which this was developed and adapted to 62 specialties. Evaluation demonstrated high levels of acceptability for applicants and to a lesser extent for selectors. An external review confirmed that the process was in keeping with good employment practice.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Tay Sachs disease carrier screening in schools: educational alternatives and cheekbrush sampling.

PURPOSE: Tay Sachs disease carrier screening programs have been offered successfully worldwide since 1970. The programs typically offer education, testing, and counseling to provide reproductive choices. One such program has been offered to Jewish school students in Melbourne since 1998. In a time of increasing public awareness of genetics, programs require continuous evaluation and updating. METHODS: Over 2 successive years, a longitudinal evaluation involved students attending Jewish schools in Melbourne. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques were used to analyze alternative methods for education and sampling procedures. Comparisons involved (1) a computer-based resource versus an oral educational presentation and (2) blood sampling for enzyme and genetic testing versus cheekbrush testing for genetic sampling alone. RESULTS: The education session was effective in significantly increasing students' knowledge (10.5% +/- 1.2%, P < .0001) and decreasing their anxiety about being a carrier (-12.2% +/- 1.6%, P < .0001). For the students, no significant differences were found between the computer-based resource and oral presentation. There were significantly more students accepting a carrier test and anxiety was lower when a cheekbrush test was offered compared with when a blood test was offered. CONCLUSIONS: Computer-based instruction is equally effective, in addition to offering advantages of self-paced learning and minimization of human resources as an oral presentation within a genetic carrier screening program. Cheekbrush sampling is preferred to blood sampling and should be implemented into current practices for offering genetic screening programs. These results present alternatives to practices for genetic screening reflecting the current developing technology.

Adolescent↗