AUTHOR=Nembaware Victoria , African Genomic Medicine Training Initiative , Mulder Nicola , Abidi Omar , Akanle MB , Ali Stuart Alvaro , Aliga Cliff Asher , Chauke Paballo , Cotzee Minnet , Dandara Collet , Fadlelmola Faisal M. , Fawale Michael B. , Fernandes Pedro L. , Ghansah Karen , Kashim Zainab Abimbola , Kassim Samar Kamal , Komolafe Morenikeji A. , Landouré Guida , Leisegang Cordelia , Madden Ebony B , Majada Kuda , Malope Malebo , Kaba Mamadou , Mathuba Keofentse , Matimba Alice , Mochamah George , Morgan Sarah L , Mulder Nicola , Oyekanmi Nash , Munung Nchangwi S , Nembaware Victoria , Owoeye Temitope Esther , Pepper Michael Sean , Pienaar Lunelle , Pietersen Elize , Radouani Fouzia , S Ramesar Raj , Skelton Michelle , Mpoloka Sununguko Wata , Misaki Wayengerera , Wonkam Ambroise , Adesina Adetunji Samuel , Wessels Tina-Marié TITLE=The African Genomic Medicine Training Initiative (AGMT): Showcasing a Community and Framework Driven Genomic Medicine Training for Nurses in Africa JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics VOLUME=10 YEAR=2019 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2019.01209 DOI=10.3389/fgene.2019.01209 ISSN=1664-8021 ABSTRACT=

The potential of genomic medicine in improving the quality of healthcare both at population and individual-level is well-recognized globally. However, successful adoption of genetic and genomic evidence into clinical practice depends on training the healthcare workforce and clinical researchers in genomic medicine. Due to limited expertise in the medical genetics and genomics field, widespread uptake largely depends on task-shifting for the implementation of genomic medicine implementation to key healthcare professionals such as nurses. Their knowledge would be developed through courses aimed at professional development. Globally, trainers, and training initiatives in genomic medicine are in early stages of development, but resource limited settings such as the African continent face additional logistical and institutional challenges. The African Genomic Medicine Training (AGMT) Initiative was conceived during a combined conference of the African Society of Human Genetics (AfSHG) and the Human Heredity and Health in Africa Consortium (H3Africa) in 2016, Senegal, in response to the needs for developing knowledge and skills in genomic medicine. AGMT was established to implement a sustainable genomic medicine training initiative primarily for healthcare professionals who are not geneticists but are nurses, doctors, and pharmacists in Africa. This paper reports on the establishment of the AGMT initiative and the strategies developed and piloted by this initiative in designing and implementing an accredited frame-work and community-based blended learning course for nurses across 11 African countries. The global implementation experiences, outcomes and lessons learnt are highlighted. The AGMT initiative strategy takes advantage of existing research consortia and networks to train and create a pool of trainers and has adopted evidence-based approaches to guide curriculum and content development/adaptation. This initiative established the first Africa-wide online blended learning genomic medicine course which forms the basis from which to develop courses for other healthcare professionals and the wider public.