Allied Health Genomics

Allied Health

Genomics

The West African Genetic Medicine Centre (WAGMC) is offering a short course in genomics for allied health professionals. The Allied Health Genomics (AHG) short course is designed to provide allied health professionals with basic competencies in genomics to allow their active participation in genetic health care delivery. The course includes general topics in large-scale genomics projects, genetic literacy, genetic testing, laws governing personalized medicine, and ethical legal and social implications of genomic medicine. Additional topics are focused on genomics in audiology, speech pathology, dietetics, radiography and other allied health specialities. The course is delivered using multiple teaching and learning tools, including pre-and-post-testing, didactic lectures, videos, and panel discussions packed into an intensive and interactive five-day programme. It is offered by an international faculty of experts in molecular genetics, genomic ethics, genetic counselling, dietetics, radiogenomics, health psychology, and a diversity of allied health specialities, including audiology, speech pathology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and medical laboratory science. Participants will be issued with a Certificate in Allied Health Genomics after completing the full five-day course, including taking the pre- and post-tests. While the specialty topics are focused on allied health related disorders, this course is open to all health professionals including physicians, nurses and midwives, pharmacists, and health scientists.

Healthcare is undergoing a transformative shift propelled by advances and increasing access to genomic technology. Allied health professionals are a widely diverse group of health care workers with expertise in over 40 specialties including audiology, dietetics, respiratory therapy, medical laboratory science, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, radiography, and speech-language therapy. Despite their diversity, they all encounter genomics related health conditions in their work. However, the curricula of allied health degree programmes in Ghana and West African lack genomics education content highlighting a critical gap in the training of allied health professions in the sub-region. The purpose of the AHG short course is to provide final year students and allied health professionals already in employment with basic competencies in genomics to allow them to fully participate in the delivery of genetic health.

TARGET GROUPS

Allied Health Genomics is designed primarily for working allied health professionals, and final year students who are poised to join the allied health workforce. In addition, the course will benefit other health workers, including physicians, nurses and midwives, pharmacists.

COURSE DURATION

The programme is a 5-day short course comprising 40 hours of lectures, group work, discussions and applied learning activities.

COURSE FEE

Free for students.

REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD OF CERTIFICATE

Certificate of Participation will be awarded to trainees who complete the 5-day course, through active participation in all group and specialty-specific sessions, and successfully complete pre- and post-course assessments.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Allied Health Genomics is a 40-hour course delivered over five-days. The course presents opportunities to equip participants with basic, knowledge in genetics and genetic testing to provide certificate-level genetics-informed care to their clients. Topics are structured such that each day builds progressively on lessons from previous days to ensure easy engagement with the whole course by trainees. The course is developed to tackle the following broad thematic areas in genetics: (1) Big initiatives and projects in human genetics globally and in Africa, (2) Molecular pathogenesis, (3) Common genetic/developmental disorders encountered by allied health professionals, and (4) Molecular therapeutics. Specific topics include the Human Genome Project, major genomic projects in Africa, human genetic diversity in Africa, molecular basis of genetic disease, common genetic disorders that require various allied health professional intervention, the social, ethical, and legal implications of genetic testing.

OBJECTIVES

To provide allied health professionals with an overview of genomics within the context of allied health professions
To expose participants to major genetic breakthroughs and ongoing projects in human genomics.
To equip participants with essential knowledge and skills to support effective communication of complex genetics-related health information and management of clients of diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
To enable participants appreciate the cultural/social, ethical, and legal implications of genomics medicine.
To offer the opportunity for participants to develop their professional skills and competencies in genomics and allied health professional practice.

Day 1 – Monday 4th March 2024

Large Scale Genomics Projects and Genomic Medicine Guidelines and Regulations

Time	Topic	Lecturer
8:30 – 9:00	Registration
9:00 – 10:00	Overview of Allied Health Genomics	Prof. S. Fiifi Ofori-Acquah
10:00 – 10:30	Pre-Test	Dr. Gloria Amegatcher
10:30 – 11:00	Morning Break
11:00 – 12:00	The Human Genome Project (Video)	Dr. Gloria Amegatcher
12:00 – 1:00	Genomics and Precision Medicine	Dr. Gloria Amegatcher
1:00 – 1:30	Group Photograph	All Participants
1:30 – 2:30	Lunch
2:30 – 3:00	The H3Africa Initiative (Video)	Dr. Lily Paemka
3:00 – 4:00	Major Genomics Projects a) Global b) Africa	Dr. Lily Paemka
4:00 – 4:15	Afternoon Break
4:15 – 5:15	WHO Guidelines and other Regulations in Genomic Medicine	Dr. Gloria Amegatcher
5:15 – 5:30	Wrap-Up and Close	Dr. Gloria Amegatcher

Day 2 – Tuesday 5th March 2024

Genetic Counselling, Genomic Ethics and Genetic Testing

Time	Topic	Lecturer
8:30 – 9:00	Registration
9:00 – 10:00	Principles of Genetic Counselling	Ms. Kalinka Popel
10:00 – 10:15	Morning Break
10:15 – 11:15	Genetic Counselling in Practice	Ms. Kalinka Popel
11:15 – 12:15	Understanding the Role of Counselling in Genetic Testing	Dr. Judith A. Osae-Larbi
12:15 – 1:15	Introduction to Clinical Genetic Testing	Dr. D. Akuba-Muhyia Barkers Ansah
1:15 – 2:15	Lunch
2:15 – 3:15	Genetic Disease Identification and Diagnosis	Dr. D. Akuba-Muhyia Barkers Ansah Dr. Lily Paemka
3:15 – 4:15	Autonomy and Paternalism in Genetic Counselling	Dr. Kofi A. Anie
4:15 – 4:30	Afternoon Break
4:30 – 5:15	Newborn Screening and Genetic Counselling: Ethical, Legal and Social Implications	Dr. Kofi A. Anie
5:15 – 5:30	Wrap-Up and Close	Dr. Kofi A. Anie

Day 3 – Wednesday 6th March 2024

Genomics in Allied Health I

Time	Topic	Lecturer
8:30 – 9:00	Registration
	*Audiology/ Speech and Language Therapy*
9:00 – 9:45	Common Genes Associated with Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss in Ghana	Mrs. Elsie A. Otuo-Acheampong
9:45 – 10:30	Genomics of Stammering	Mr. Clement Amponsah
10:30 – 10:45	Morning Break
	*Medical Laboratory Sciences*
10:45 – 11:30	Cytogenetic and Molecular Cytogenetic Diagnosis of Down Syndrome	Dr. Akua Koaso Yalley
11:30 – 12:15	Molecular Genetic Detection of Breast Cancer 1 Early Onset Gene (BRCA 1) Mutation	Dr. Akua Koaso Yalley
	*Dietetics*
12:15 – 1:00	Insight into the Dietary Management of Phenylketonuria (PKU)	Dr. Frank Ekow Atta Hayford
1:00 – 2:00	Lunch
2:00 – 2:45	Diet Therapy for Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency (D-G6PD)	Dr. Joana Ainuson-Quampah
	*Occupational Therapy*
2:30 – 3:15	Activities of Daily Living in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)	Ms. Dorinda Armah
3:15 – 4:00	Integrating Genomics into Occupational Therapy: Enhancing care for individuals with Down Syndrome	Ms. Lawrencia Awuah
4:00 – 4:15	Afternoon Break
4:15 – 5:15	Discussions	All Participants
5:15 – 5:30	Wrap-up and Close	Dr. Nicholas I. Nii-Trebi

Day 4 – Thursday 7th March 2024

Genomics in Allied Health II

Time	Topic	Lecturer
8:30 – 9:00	Registration
	*Physiotherapy Genomics*
9:00 – 9:45	The Role of the Paediatric Physiotherapist in the Diagnosis and Management of Down Syndrome	Dr. Augustine Appah Acquah
9:45 – 10:30	Translating Genomic Advances to Physiotherapy Practice: A closer look at the Nature and Prognosis of Osteoarthritis (OA)	Ms. Bridgette Opoku
10:30 – 10:45	Morning Break
	*Radiogenomics*
10:45 – 11:30	Understanding the basics of Molecular Imaging	Prof. William K. Antwi Mr. Godwill Acquah
11:30 – 12:15	Radiogenomics in the Treatment of Cancer	Prof. William K. Antwi Mr. Godwill Acquah
12:15 – 1:00	Discussions
1:00 – 2:00	Lunch
	*Respiratory Therapy: Cardiopulmonary Genomics*
2:00 – 2:45	An Overview of Genetic Risk Association with Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease	Mr. Rodger Godson Okpara
2:45 – 3:30	Genetic Predisposition for Idiopathic Thoracic Wall Deformities	Mr. Rodger Godson Okpara
3:30 – 4:00	Afternoon Break
4:00 – 5:00	Groups Creation / Group Assignments	Dr. Gloria Amagatcher Dr. Nicholas I. Nii-Trebi
5:00 – 5:30	Wrap-up and Close	Prof. William K. Antwi

Day 5 – Friday 8th March 2024

Group Presentations and Panel Discussions

Time	Topic	Lecturer
8:30 – 9:00	Registration
9:00 – 10:15	Group Discussions	Dr. Gloria Amegatcher Dr. Nicholas I. Nii-Trebi
10:15 – 10:30	Morning Break
10:30 – 11-30	Group 1 – Regulations in Genomic Medicine	Dr. Gloria Amegatcher
11:30 – 12:30	Group 2 – Ethics in Genomic Medicine	Dr. Kofi A. Anie
12:30 – 1:30	Lunch
1:30 – 2:30	Group 3 – Genetic Counselling and Genetic Testing	Ms. Kalinka Popel Dr. Judith A. Osae-Larbi
2:30 – 3:30	Group 4 – The Future of Genomics in Medicine	Prof. S. Fiifi Ofori-Acquah Dr. Lily Paemka
3:30 – 4:30	Post-Test	Dr. Gloria Amegatcher
4:30 – 4:45	Afternoon Break
4:45 – 5:00	Trainees Evaluation of Allied Health Genomics Short Course	Dr. Gloria Amegatcher Dr. Nicholas I. Nii-Trebi
5:00 – 6:00	Award of Certificates	Prof. S. Fiifi Ofori-Acquah
6:00 – 7:00	Closing Reception and Networking	All Participants

Intended Outcomes

At the end of this course, it is expected that participants will be able to:

Become aware of major genomic initiatives and projects in Africa and globally, and become conversant with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and other regulations in genomic medicine.
Gain knowledge in genetic testing techniques and understand the social, ethical and legal implications of genetic testing and genetic counselling.
Understand the role of genetic counsellors, the key skills required for genetic counselling and the contexts in which people should receive genetic counselling.
Understand the genetic bases and mechanisms of hearing impairment and stammering, and identify common genes associated with hearing loss and stammering.
Gain knowledge in the phenotypic manifestations, risk factors, signs and symptoms, nutrition care process (NCP), and principles for providing medical nutrition therapy for patients with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency.
Understand the molecular genetics, pathophysiology, and epidemiology of Phenylketonuria (PKU), and how this condition is managed, identify high-phenylalanine foods and PKU-free diets, and various strategies employed to manage PKU.
Gain insight into the genetic basis and phenotypic characteristics of Down’s Syndrome/Trisomy 21, and the limitations of cytogenetic methods used for its diagnosis. Additionally, participants will understand the challenges faced by individuals with Down’s syndrome, and the role occupational therapists and the physiotherapists play in disease management.
Gain knowledge in the structure and function of the Breast Cancer Gene 1 (BRCA1) gene, and how mutations of this gene is linked to carcinogenesis, the molecular genetic methods for BRCA1 mutation testing and the recommended tests.
Understand the genetic basis of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), identify challenges faced by individuals with SCD, and explore the role of occupational therapy in disease management.
Understand the clinical manifestations of Osteoarthritis (OA) and the current physiotherapy management of this condition.
Understand the role of radiography in the early detection, management and personalised treatment of various diseases including cancer
Gain understanding of the role of genetics in rheumatic heart disease, and the molecular genetics and clinical manifestation of this condition.

Registration Closed.

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Allied Health

Genomics

Solomon F. Ofori-Acquah, PhD

Gloria Amegatcher, PhD

Nicholas Israel Nii-Trebi, PhD

Joana Ainuson-Quampah, PhD

Frank Ekow Atta Hayford, PhD

Bridgette Opoku, MSc

Augustine Appah Acquah, PhD

Akua Koaso Yalley, PhD

Dorinda Armah, BSc

Lawrencia Awuah, BSc

William K. Antwi, PhD

Godwill Acquah, BSc

Clement Amponsah, MSc

Rodger Godson Okpara, MCT/ECCP

Elsie A. Otuo-Acheampong, MSc

Kofi A. Anie, PhD

Kalinka Popel, MSc

Judith A. Osae-Larbi, PhD

Lily Paemka, PhD

D. Akuba-Muhyia Barkers Ansah, PhD

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