HEE extends new educational resource to GPs

Health Education England is extending a new online tool for clinicians, being developed to help them access vital care for their patients.

GeNotes (genomic notes for clinicians) is designed to support healthcare professionals in making the right genomics decisions at each stage of a clinical pathway. It provides educational information which can be accessed, for example, during patient consultations, along with links to bite-sized further learning.

 The web-based resource will help clinicians access genomics testing for their patients. Before the platform goes live GPs and colleagues in primary care are being invited to try out GeNotes and give their feedback via an online survey. The results will be used to improve the final product.

In the context of healthcare, genomics is the study of a person’s genetic material to achieve a diagnosis or inform treatment and management. Genomic testing is being used in the NHS for cancer and rare and infectious diseases, and can lead to answers for patients where previously there were none.

 “GeNotes will be a vital resource for primary care,” said Dr Jude Hayward, primary care adviser to HEE’s Genomics Education Programme.

 “As genomic testing continues to be embedded within clinical care, particularly in rare disease and cancer, our primary care colleagues need quick access to concise, focused information about referral routes and clinical management.”

She added: “In developing GeNotes, we have fine-tuned the resources to offer just the information a busy clinician needs at the point of patient care. Our user research is an important component to help us make further improvements before we roll out the service more widely across primary care.”

Developed by HEE’s Genomics Education Programme in collaboration with clinical experts across the NHS, GeNotes has already been successfully tested by colleagues in oncology and paediatrics. So far, it has scored a 90% usability score (average: 68%) and high praise from clinicians.

More information on accessing GeNotes and the survey, which closes on 6 November, is available here:-  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/VL7LW5K