SCT counselling knowledge and skills guide
Published 28 September 2020
1. Identification
1.1 Core competence: identify individuals and families who will benefit from testing and counselling
Learning outcome: understand the importance of family history in assessing predisposition to genetic conditions
Practice indicators:
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Obtain family history information.
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Draw a using standard symbols.
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Document potentially significant sickle cell and thalassaemia (SCT) information from a family history. To include donor egg/sperm, bone marrow transplant and surrogacy.
Learning outcome: be able to make genetic risk assessments for individuals, or their offspring, at risk of SCT.
Practice indicators:
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Explain the relevant inheritance patterns and the way genetic conditions may occur.
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Interpret a multigenerational family history to assess risk of SCT.
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Describe the factors that may affect the accuracy of a genetic risk assessment based on family history. To include paternity issues, donor egg/sperm, bone marrow transplant and surrogacy.
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Explain why some individuals affected by, or at risk of, a condition may have no family history of that condition.
Learning outcome: be aware of the potential impact of SCT on an individual and their family
Practice indicators:
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Outline the impact and support needs of an individual and family affected by SCT.
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Describe how an individual’s may affect their perception of their condition.
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Explain how to gain assistance from genetics and other relevant specialists and peer support services.
Learning outcome: be able to make appropriate referrals to genetic services and other agencies that are available at local/regional levels
Practice indicators:
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Describe the local care pathway from identification of individuals at risk, or affected by SCT, incorporating genetic services and information.
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Explain how to make an offer of prenatal diagnosis (PND) and a referral to genetic and other services.
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Describe the genetic services available to individuals and families at local/regional level. To include voluntary organisations.
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Outline local and national pathways relevant to , and screening, prenatal diagnosis (PND) and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis.
2. Communication
2.1 Core competence: understand the importance of effective communication in supporting individuals and families with, or at risk of having a baby with SCT
Learning outcome: understand the influence of ethnicity, culture, religion and ethical perspectives
Practice indicators:
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Describe the potential effects of culture, ethnicity, religion and values on an individual’s use of genetic information and services.
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Explain the importance of sensitive communication when exploring cultural, religious and ethical perspectives.
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Demonstrate the appropriate use of SCT information to meet an individual’s needs taking into consideration their cultural, ethnic, religious and ethical perspectives.
Learning outcome: be able to communicate effectively with individuals and families
Practice indicators:
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Demonstrate effective communication skills, acknowledging an individual’s level of understanding of genetic conditions, for example use of clear language and appropriate terminology.
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Use relevant information resources to support effective communication, for example national SCT carrier leaflets.
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Assess an individual’s understanding of information provided.
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Describe what actions are to be taken if an individual does not understand the information.
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Discuss how information could be shared with family members and its potential impact.
3. Supporting personal informed choice
3.1 Core competence: advocate for the rights of all individuals to make a personal informed choice
Learning outcome: recognise the importance of providing SCT information and support fairly and accurately without coercion or personal bias
Practice indicators:
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Demonstrate a non-directive approach in providing SCT information.
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Describe how personal values and beliefs, of self and individuals, may influence the care and support provided.
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Explain how to avoid assumptions based on diverse characteristics, such as ethnicity and cultural values.
Learning outcome: respect personal informed choice
Practice indicators:
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Explain potential implications, limitations and alternatives in relation to an individual’s choices.
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Demonstrate supporting personal informed choice and explore reasons for choices.
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Describe how to assess an individual’s ability to make an informed decision and situations when this may occur.
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Explain the national and/or local policy for supporting individuals who lack capacity to make informed decisions, for example children or vulnerable adults.
Learning outcome: be aware of potential misuse of human SCT information
Practice indicators:
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Discuss situations when the misuse of human SCT information could occur.
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Describe the potential impact of the misuse of human SCT information.
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Explain what action should be taken if the misuse of human SCT information is identified.
4. Knowledge and awareness
4.1 Core competence: understand the genetic basis and clinical implications of SCT
Learning outcome: understand the genetic basis of SCT
Practice indicators:
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Explain how SCT is inherited and convey basic information about the clinical manifestation of the condition, health impact and potential complications.
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Identify populations at high and low risk of SCT.
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Explain the difference between germline and somatic genetic conditions.
Learning outcome: recognise the clinical implications of SCT
Practice indicators:
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Assess the chance of a couple having a child with SCT.
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Explain the implications of concurrent genetic conditions, for example G6PD, that may affect the severity of sickle cell disease and thalassaemia.
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Describe the difference between genetic susceptibility and clinical manifestation of condition using basic concepts of risk.
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Provide appropriate lifestyle advice to prevent or reduce the severity of SCT.
Learning outcome: educate health and allied practitioners about SCT
Practice indicators:
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Discuss how you have educated health and allied practitioners about SCT.
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Reflect on situations when health and allied practitioners have consulted you about SCT.
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Summarise resources accessed and created when educating health and allied practitioners.
5. Use of genetic information, tests and results
5.1 Core competence: care for and support individuals and their families before, during and after genetic testing
Learning outcome: understand the potential physical, psychological and social consequences of SCT information for individuals, family and communities
Practice indicators:
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Explain the potential risks, benefits and limitations of genetic testing and access to genetic information for the individual and family.
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Discuss the potential psychological effects of accepting or declining SCT testing on the individual and their families.
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Demonstrate effective communication when responding to individual SCT concerns, seeking advice from others when appropriate.
Learning outcome: understand the screening and diagnostic tests and the patient care pathways
Practice indicators:
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Explain the screening and diagnostic tests and the difference between them.
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Explain what laboratory tests should be requested for preconception, antenatal, postnatal diagnosis and newborn.
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Demonstrate the local blood test request process.
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Provide clear explanations to individuals about test procedures and reporting timelines.
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Describe pathway for declining the options offered.
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Explain the meaning of possible test results and what they may mean for the individual and family.
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Describe the NHS SCT screening programme standards and care pathways.
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Describe the SCT checks and audits in place for quality assurance.
Learning outcome: be aware of the ethical, legal and social issues relating to testing, recording, sharing and storage of SCT information
Practice indicators:
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Demonstrate confidentiality when discussing or recording genetic information.
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Describe the optimal environment in which to share and discuss SCT information.
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Describe the local, national and legal policies and procedures in relation to information governance.
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Explain what is required before any information can be shared with health and allied practitioners and other family members.
6. Maintaining SCT competence
6.1 Core competence: maintaining and updating SCT knowledge and skills through lifelong learning
Learning outcome: maintain awareness of developments in SCT to ensure safe and effective practice
Practice indicators:
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Identify own learning needs in SCT and how these will be met.
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Provide evidence of continued professional development and regular clinical supervision in relation to SCT.
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Reflect on impact of clinical supervision and continuing professional development (CPD) on own practice.
Learning outcome: be aware of own role in the referral to, provision of or follow-up to genetics services
Practice indicators:
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Describe own role and responsibilities and that of the multi-disciplinary care team in the provision of SCT care.
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Provide effective advice and support when dealing with SCT enquiries.
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Discuss what sources you would access to get further advice and support about SCT, for example national SCT Screening Programme study days and the .
7. Accessing information and resources
7.1 Core competence: obtaining and using information to support credible, current communication about SCT
Learning outcome: be aware of reliable SCT information sources and technologies to inform practice
Practice indicators:
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Demonstrate the use of a range of current information sources and technologies.
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Describe how to critically evaluate the quality of information sources.
Learning outcome: be able to support individuals and colleagues in gaining current, reliable SCT information
Practice indicators:
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Demonstrate effective communication skills when discussing SCT information with other individuals, families and colleagues.
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Demonstrate appropriate signposting of individuals and families to reliable and relevant information.
8. Ongoing support
8.1 Core competence: providing ongoing support to individuals and families with SCT
Learning outcome: be aware of how an inherited condition and its implications might impact on family dynamics
Practice indicators:
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Explain the potential psychological and social impact of the genetic aspects of SCT on the individual and family.
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Demonstrate sensitivity of family dynamics and the impact of SCT.
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Describe situations where ongoing support to individuals and families is required.
Learning outcome: recognise the expertise of individuals and their families in managing SCT
Practice indicators:
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Demonstrate working in partnership in managing SCT with individuals, their families, voluntary organisations, support groups and other specialist agencies.
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Describe how individual needs may change over time and how they might be met.
Learning outcome: understand the need to provide services consistent with current national SCT screening standards and clinical standards
Practice indicators:
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Demonstrate the use of current screening standards and care pathways.
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Discuss an awareness of the national and .