Living with Genetic Conditions session with healthcare students at the University of South Wales
Living with Genetic Conditions is an educational session originally developed for schools (specifically year 12 and 13 pupils) which, due to its popularity, has been expanded and is being delivered more widely to public audiences and also students on nursing and other healthcare courses at Cardiff University, University of South Wales, and Cardiff Metropolitan University amongst others. The sessions have been received very positively by both the students and educators, evaluating extremely well; as a result we are now offering them to other universities throughout Wales.
The session begins with a talk from a genetic counsellor (or other health professional specialising in genetics) about genetics and inherited conditions. This is followed by a talk from someone affected by a genetic condition (this can be an individual with the condition, a family member, or carer). This personal narrative gives an insight into the impact a genetic condition can have on an individual or family, and provides a powerful account of how it affects them on a daily basis. Educationally it can help to link theory and practice, and highlight the relevance of genetics to healthcare. Following the talks, there is a question and answer session with the audience.
In conjunction with Genetic Alliance UK and their Rare Disease UK campaign, we will also be holding a Living with Genetic Conditions session for the public as part of a series of events in Wales to mark Rare Disease Day 2017. The session will take place in Cardiff on February 28th (further details will appear shortly), where personal accounts from a number of individuals affected by rare conditions will help to raise awareness and highlight issues faced by the rare disease community.
If you are interested in finding out more about our Living with Genetic Conditions sessions, please get in touch: walesgenepark@cardiff.ac.uk
