Genetic/Genomic Nursing Field
Exploring nursing and care that supports diversity based on genomic information Exploring the role of nursing in the rapidly developing field of genomic medicine
Faculty Members Involved
Faculty Members Involved
Yoshie Murakami
Research Themes in Field
Lifelong continuous support for patients with hereditary diseases and their families
Nursing care for individuals and groups with genetic conditions
Role of nursing in genomic medicine: Ethical, legal and social issues (ELSI)
Master’s Thesis Themes
Scoping review on experience of families of children with cleft lip and palate (2024)
Assessment of tools for evaluating psychosocial impact on parents of genetic testing on children with rare diseases (2023)
Healthcare professionals’ perception of the current status of diseases prone to gastrointestinal hamartomatous tumors: Examining challenges in patient support (2021）
Literature review of risk management initiatives and psychosocial issues in relatives unaffected by hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (2020)
Current knowledge of and nursing practice for hereditary tumors among nursing staff working in regional medical support hospitals (2019)
Qualitative study on experiences of patients with hereditary arrhythmias (2019)
Research Keywords
Genetic/genomic information, genetic/genomic medicine, genetic testing, genetic counseling, genetic risk assessment, precision medicine, life stage, family communication, decision support, peer support, ELSI, etc.
Introduction to Field
The use of genomic information in clinical practice is rapidly increasing, and it is anticipated that this information will be appropriately used to achieve more personalized and effective diagnosis, prevention and treatment. The “Second Healthcare Policy” emphasizes the further adoption of genomic medicine, including whole genome sequencing, and its benefits for patients. Furthermore, the “Japan Vision: Health Care 2035” advocates the necessity of a paradigm shift to prioritizing patients and other stakeholders playing a leading role in establishing rules autonomously and proactively, in a transition toward a “care-centered” era where the aim is to maintain health, not only the physical but also mental and social aspects. In other words, to enable patients and their families to make decisions about how they wish to apply new information to their lives, nurses are required to have the latest knowledge and continually provide care from the perspectives of primary, secondary and tertiary prevention.
In the field of genetic/genomic nursing, we offer a master’s thesis course and a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) program.
Genetic nursing specialists are expected to identify individuals’ genetic issues, provide lifelong care support aimed at assisting decision-making for diagnosis, prevention and treatment while improving quality of life, and contribute to establishing systems enabling access to necessary medical care and support for all generations, as well as advancing genomic medicine.
Four universities currently offer postgraduate study in genetic/genomic nursing. We use online platforms to provide opportunities for postgraduate students from four universities to learn together through study sessions and journal clubs.
In major field courses, students enhance their understanding of the actual practice of genetic medicine through shadowing at the Outpatient Clinical Genetics Center of Keio University Hospital and attending conferences. Students attend lectures for the cancer professional program courses: auditing “Advanced Genomic Medicine” and actively participating in “Cancer Genomic Medicine Implementation Intensive Course.”
They also participate in patient groups for hereditary diseases, using these opportunities to examine the nature of genetic medicine from the perspective of those directly affected.
We aim to cultivate professionals capable of advancing genomic/genetic nursing practice and pursuing research projects in this area. This involves acquiring the specialized knowledge required for genomic/genetic medicine while learning about the potential ethical, legal and social issues (ELSI) in close association with clinical practice.
Graduate Career Paths
Genetic nursing specialist, genetic specialist outpatient clinic, cancer chemotherapy department (including cancer genomic medicine)
Message
To contemplate heredity is to contemplate life itself. Therefore, the scope of genetic/genomic nursing is broad, including individuals and their families affected by hereditary conditions such as cancer, congenital disorders, chromosomal abnormalities, skin diseases, ENT disorders, and cardiovascular disorders, as well as those experiencing distress regarding conception or continuing a pregnancy as a result of such conditions. Wouldn’t you like to join us in pioneering new nursing fields? Please feel free to contact us.