Master in Genetic Counselling to begin in Portugal

Plans are already advanced for a master course on genetic counselling to begin at the Univ. Porto (ICBAS), in 2009. Its main objective will be to train professional genetic counsellors, who will integrate multidisciplinary teams at genetic services and consultations. This profession is present for quite some time in a few countries, and is now being created is many others, but still did not exist in Portugal.

It will have theoretical courses and small group tutorials and discussions, but will be mainly practical. The main educational areas will be (1) principles and practice of genetic counselling; (2) human and medical genetics; (3) clinical psychology, mental health and communication skills; (4) public health, community genetics, organization of services, health policy and health economy; (5) quantitative and qualitative methodologies and research methods; and (6) bioethics and medical ethics. A range of (7) optional disciplines in these and other areas will offered, as well as (8) clinical rotations; and (9) a second (final) year in medical genetic services, with a final report.