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Differentiate between genetics and genomics. From the perspective of your specialty area, articulate how nurses can be involved in policy making in the field of genomics. How can research in the field be tied to practice? Identify organizations that are open to nurses in the field of genomics

responses

1 coulee

According to Merchant et al. (2020), healthcare is said to be transitioning from genetic to genomic. Genetic testing is the testing of a single gene in a patient and genomic testing tests a larger panel of genes. We are now seeing the presence of genomics as healthcare focuses on the widespread testing of diseases such as cancer (Merchant et al., 2020). The difference between genetics and genomics is that genetics is the study of individual genes, whereas genomics is the study of the entire genome, or all an organism’s genes, interactions among genes, and the environment’s role in affecting them (Fee-Schroeder & King, (2019).

From the perspective of your specialty area, articulate how nurses can be involved in policymaking in the field of genomics

Nurses can contribute to policymaking by providing ideas to decision-makers based on their knowledge of genomics as a science and its association with patients. Nurses access information concerning family backgrounds and environmental histories of a patient on a more intimate level than other health care professionals. What was in public policy for genetics testing may not be transferrable when considering the technique used for genomic testing. Because of this, advocacy in these types of policies must increase. When nurses inform lawmakers of how their personal experiences with patients who have benefitted or would have benefited is necessary if genomics is to become a stronger field. The nurses’ experience can also serve as examples of how research in the field can be tied to practice. Through research in the field of genomics, nurses will be more knowledgeable about ways in which this knowledge can improve various patient conditions (Merchant et al., 2020).

How can research in the field be tied to practice?

Many diseases are linked to genetic predisposition. Knowledge of genomic is essential in the treatment of diseases and management of patients by nurses. Nurses routinely obtain genomic data when collecting family health histories. Genetics and genomics are essential to patient care as a result of the discovery of the new genetically engineered treatment methods aimed at symptom management, prevention of disease, and diagnosing and treatment of patients. The application of genomic knowledge in the clinical setting can be achieved through the process of implementation science, systematic steps used to incorporate scientific advances with innovative nursing care (William et al., 2017). Genomics is a growing field within health care and the burgeoning health technology space. Genomics is a complex competency and has been identified as a core trend shaping health care’s future. With the vast amount of information made available by genetic testing, data science, and advanced sequencing technologies, there is an increased need for nurses trained in genomics, who can interpret the information and translate it in a way that patients can understand (Shapiro, 2021).

The sheer size of the global workforce and the diversity of the professional role and settings in which nurses practice make them ideally placed to deliver genomic health care, from novice to advanced practice levels, which may include diagnostic and prescriptive responsibilities. However, although well positioned to take a lead in implementing genomic innovations, nurses are not well prepared to do so. Several studies have addressed approaches to effective, sustainable implementation, but to the best of our knowledge, there have been no international collaborative efforts to accelerate genomics integration across nursing. (Tonkin et al., 2020). Collaboration between nurses in all domains of practice and with other health professionals will ensure that the necessary knowledge and infrastructure are developed to support safe, ethical, and compassionate care. In addition, leadership and champions are needed to accelerate change and bring genomics into day-to-day practice. Achieving genomic competency will enable nurses to make a significant contribution to patient health outcomes and the field of genomics. Nurses have an important role in translating genomics into clinical care and population health (Limoges, J., & Carlsson, L., 2020).

Identify organizations that are open to nurses in the field of genomics

Genomics is shaping the future of healthcare, but change is needed for integration across nursing. Several organizations are open to nurses in the field of genomics, these include- The International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG) is a global nursing specialty organization dedicated to genomic health care, education, research, and scholarship. ISONG is dedicated to fostering the scientific and professional growth of nurses in human genetics and genomics worldwide (International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG), nd.). The Global Genomics Nursing Alliance was established in 2017 to support nurses to realize their full potential in integrating genomics across nursing practice, to improve healthcare for all. It is built on a collaborative network and aims to provide guidance and practical support for nurses globally (Tonkin et al., 2020). Other organizations include the American Nurses Association (ANA), the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG), the ANA House of Delegates, the International Society of Delegates, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) (Tonkin et al., 2020).

References

Fee-Schroeder, K. & King, E. (2019). What Is the Difference Between Genetics and Genomics?

https://voice.ons.org/news-and-views/what-is-the-difference-between-genetics-and-genomics

International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG) (nd.). Welcome to ISONG.

https://www.isong.org/

Limoges, J., & Carlsson, L., (2020). Nurses poised to play key role in advancing precision care

through genetics and genomics. https://canadian-nurse.com/en/articles/issues/2020/october-2020/nurses-poised-to-play-key-role-in-advancing-precision-care-through-genetics-and-genomics

Shapiro, M. (2021). School of Nursing awarded NIH grant to integrate genomics education into

clinical and research-based nursing fields. https://news.vanderbilt.edu/2021/07/13/school-of-nursing-awarded-nih-grant-to-integrate-genomics-education-into-clinical-and-research-based-nursing-fields/

Tonkin, E., Calzone, K. A., Badzek, L., Benjamin, C., Middleton, A., Patch, C., & Kirk, M.

(2020). A Roadmap for Global Acceleration of Genomics Integration Across Nursing. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. 52:3, 329–338. doi:10.1111/jnu.12552

Williams, J. K., Feero, G. W., Leonard, D. G., Coleman, B. C. (2017). Implementation

science, genomic precision medicine, and improved health: A new path forward? Nursing Outlook, 65(1), 36-40. doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2016.07.014

2 nico

Genetics and genomics are very closely related, and they focus on different aspects of the human body. Genetics is the study of genes and how different traits, and diseases are passed through the generations. Genetics determines your gender, eye color, whether your have a birth mark, and whether you will have diabetes, for instance. Whereas genomics is the study of the entirety of a person’s genetic makeup. Many years ago, scientists set out to map the entire makeup of the human genome, which is the genomics in action. Many of the medical conditions or diseases treated by healthcare professionals today have a genetic component (Rogers et al., 2017), which makes understanding genetics and genomics a critical part of effective and safe care. The human genome has also become popularized in recent years with the development of complete genetic testing for individuals, such as 12 and me. These services of personalized genetic testing allows individuals to send in samples of genetic material, and receive the results of the genetic testing, and individuals are bringing those results to their healthcare providers for interpretation (Elliot et al., 2019). One area that I would like policy to be further developed is how these organizations manage the genetic material and results once they are finished testing. Many of these companies have a small blip in the contract stating that the testing company will then assume ownership of the information and genetic material and they can do what they wish with those items. I believe that as nurses, we have the obligation to protect our patients, and we can help move legislation along by lobbying, contacting our representatives, and by raising awareness of what these companies do with the information collected. This would make me a bit nervous if I were to use an organization such as this.

Research in the field of genomics is tied to healthcare, and specifically to the practice as a nurse practitioner, because we must understand how genetics influences many of the conditions we treat. Weight management for instance can be a very touchy topic, and some people are genetically structured with a larger frame, which may predispose them to having a heavier weight. We need to be sensitive to genetics, and understand how genes play a role in our patients, and look more at the numbers rather than the physique of a patient in this situation, to determine whether they are healthy or not. I found one organization who supports nurses in genomics, the International Society of Nurses in Genetics, and they encourage nurses to work the gambit of genetics, including education, research, practice, and scholarship (ISONG, n.d.).

References

Elliott, J., Freeman, L., Walton, D., Bray, P., Osmotherly, P., & Cornwall, J. (2019). The development of clinical genomics and genetics within healthcare: How should the allied health professions respond? Journal of Allied Health, 48(4), E101-E105.

International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG). (n.d.). https://www.isong.org/

Rogers, M. A., Lizer, S., Doughty, A., Hayden, B. & Klein, C. J. (2017). Expanding RN scope of knowledge—genetics/genomics: The new frontier. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 33 (2), 56-63. doi: 10.1097/NND.0000000000000340.