ONS Connect - October 2008 - (Page 35)

wORKiNGfORYOu Oncology Nurses Play a Large Role in the Field of Genomics [By Paula t. rieger, RN, MSN, AOCN ®, FAAN] Paula T. Rieger, RN, MSN, AOCN®, FAAN Online Resources for Genetics and Genomics ONS Position on the Role of the Oncology Nurse in Cancer Genetic Counseling: www.ons.org/publications/positions/ CancerGeneticCounseling.shtml ONS Web Site Genetics Clinical and Patient Resource Areas: www.ons.org/ clinical/prevention/genetics/index.shtml CDC Public Health Genomics: www.cdc .gov/genomics GeneTests: www.genetests.org Genetics Home Reference: http://ghr.nlm .nih.gov International Society of Nurses in Genetics: www.isong.org Physician Data Query® Cancer Information Summaries on Genetics: www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/genetics National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics: www.nchpeg.org Nurses’ Role in Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics: www.cincinnati childrens.org/ed/clinical/gpnf/ce/skill/ default.htm Personalized Health Care Initiative: www.hhs.gov/myhealthcare Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Genetics, Health, and Society Report: Realizing the Potential of Pharmacogenomics: www4.od.nih.gov/oba/sacghs/ reports/SACGHS_PGx_Report.pdf he subject of genetics and personalized medicine is near and dear to my heart, as I spent seven years of my professional career in the field. Many changes have occurred since the early 1990s, when the genetic revolution began. August 1, 2008, marked the retirement of Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute. Under Collins’s leadership, the Human Genome Project was completed in April 2003, resulting in the complete sequencing of the human genome. Collins should be acknowledged for recognizing early on that this information would have significant ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI). He ensured that as part of the project, funds were budgeted to address those concerns. Of note is nursing’s contribution to ELSI investigations. Oncology nurses are a pivotal link between research discoveries that affect cancer care and their successful adoption to optimize health. A number of ONS activities and initiatives help to illustrate nursing’s role in helping patients and the public understand the broad implications of these discoveries. ONS has a vibrant Cancer Genetics Special Interest Group (SIG) that serves as a resource for members. During the 33rd Annual Congress, the SIG presented a session on taking a family history. With the use of a pedigree and a few key questions, oncology nurses can link genetic advancements to patients and families who might benefit from them. Consumers have expressed concern that genetic information might be used T against them by health insurers and workplaces. Such fear has created obstacles to use of genetic services (i.e., genetic testing) and participation in clinical research. After many years of hard work, including advocacy efforts by many ONS members, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) was passed. GINA is a good first step to protecting consumers from genetic discrimination, but it will need to be improved upon for the future because not all areas are covered. In 1996, the American Medical Association, the American Nurses Association, and the National Human Genome Institute established the National Coalition of Health Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG). This organization of organizations seeks to develop resources for health professionals. Patricia Kelly, RN, MS, AOCN®, coeditor of the Cancer Genetics SIG Newsletter, represents ONS at NCHPEG. In 2005, ONS endorsed the Essential Nursing Competencies for Genetics and Genomics (www.genome.gov/Pages/ Careers/HealthProfessionalEducation/ geneticscompetency.pdf), which establishes the minimum competency expected of every nurse. Personalized health care requires that nurses be adequately prepared to assist consumers in the interpretation of very complex details that influence healthcare choices. ONS continues to evaluate strategies to educate members about genomics and how to integrate the nursing competencies into its educational activities. Nurses can play a key role in the integration of genetic information into the lives of patients and families. ✱ OctOber 2008 ONS CONNECT 35 http://www.ons.org/publications/positions/ http://www.ons.org/clinical/prevention/genetics/index.shtml http://www.ons.org/clinical/prevention/genetics/index.shtml http://www.cdc.gov/genomics http://www.cdc.gov/genomics http://www.genetests.org http://www.genome.gov/Pages/Careers/HealthProfessionalEducation/geneticscompetency.pdf http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov http://www.genome.gov/Pages/Careers/HealthProfessionalEducation/geneticscompetency.pdf http://www.genome.gov/Pages/Careers/HealthProfessionalEducation/geneticscompetency.pdf http://www.isong.org http://www.cancer.gov/cancerinfo/pdq/genetics http://www.nchpeg.org http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/ed/clinical/gpnf/ce/skill/default.htm http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/ed/clinical/gpnf/ce/skill/default.htm http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/ed/clinical/gpnf/ce/skill/default.htm http://www.hhs.gov/myhealthcare http://www4.od.nih.gov/oba/sacghs/reports/SACGHS_PGx_Report.pdf http://www4.od.nih.gov/oba/sacghs/reports/SACGHS_PGx_Report.pdf

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of ONS Connect - October 2008

ONS Connect- October 2008 Contents Editor's Note Just In Up Front You Tell Us Up Close &�Professional Web Connect Five-Minute In-Service Capitol Connection Caregiver Care Straight Talk New Treatments, New Hope Working for You Calendar of Events Staying on Top

ONS Connect - October 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.