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From helices to health: undergraduate medical education in genetics and genomics

    Katherine Hyland

    *Author for correspondence:

    E-mail Address: katherine.hyland@ucsf.edu

    Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, School of Medicine, Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA

    ,
    Kathryn Garber

    Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA

    &
    Shoumita Dasgupta

    Department of Medicine, Biomedical Genetics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA

    Published Online:https://doi.org/10.2217/pme-2018-0081

    Rapid advances in genomic technologies combined with drastic reductions in cost and a growing number of clinical genomic tests are transforming medical practice. While enthusiasm about applications of precision medicine is high, the existing clinical genetics workforce is insufficient to meet present demands and will fall increasingly short as the use of genetic and genomic testing becomes more routine. To address this shortage, physicians in all areas of medicine will require genomic literacy. Undergraduate medical students, therefore, need a solid foundation in genetics and genomics so they can apply genomic medicine across a range of specialties. Here, we review the current trends and challenges in undergraduate medical genetics education in North America, highlight innovations and offer recommendations.

    Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest; •• of considerable interest

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