INTEGRATION OF GENOMICS AND PRECISION MEDICINE IN NURSING EDUCATION

Abstract

The fast development of genomics and precision medicine has transformed the contemporary healthcare system, requiring a new nursing staff with new scientific skills. With clinical decision making, becoming more and more dependent on the use of genomic data, the incorporation of genomics into nursing education has become a necessary step to provide personalized and evidence-based care. This review explores the contemporary situation, developments, and obstacles involved in the integration of the concept of genomic and precision-medicine into nursing curricula across the educational systems of the world. It mentions the growing role of nurse in risk assessment, patient education, pharmacogenomics, disease prevention and interpretation of the genetic test results-capabilities that are now regarded as essential to quality patient care. Although this is becoming more and more recognized, there are still huge gaps in the curriculum design, faculty readiness, and access to genomic learning resources. Most facilities continue to use the traditional models of teaching which fail to embrace the scientific and technological developments that are transformed to influence healthcare. The review explains the successful means of integration such as competency-based models, case-based learning, interprofessional learning, virtual simulation, accessing genomic databases and digital tools. Ethical, legal and social issues i.e. privacy, informed consent, equity in access to genomic services are also talked about and it is in the role of the nurse to navigate these tricky situations. This review highlights the shortage of understanding on the importance of thorough genomic training to equip future nurses with precision-medicine settings by integrating new trends and best practices. The reinforcement of curriculum designs, improvement of faculty education, and the establishment of clinical collaborations can enable nurses to assume the central role in the provision of personalized healthcare. It is not only important to incorporate genomics into nursing education but it is the future of health in the world.

Keywords: Genomics integration, Precision medicine, Nursing education, Competency-based curriculum, Clinical decision-making, Digital health technologies, Genetic risk assessment, Genomic data interpretation, Personalized healthcare..