Nathan Vernon
When planning service provision in the mainstreaming of genetic testing, the capacity and capability of specialty-based clinical nurse specialists should be considered alongside the possible need for specialist genomic nurses.
BACKGROUND: Specialist nurses are increasingly working in the mainstreaming of germline genomic testing in cancer.
AIMS: The study aimed to investigate the work of specialist nurses in the mainstreaming of germline genomic testing in cancer, with a focus on Lynch syndrome, and to consider the future of genomics in nursing.
METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 12 specialist nurses and three genetic counsellors, and thematic analysis was carried out.
FINDINGS: Prominent themes arising from the data were: the capability and capacity of specialty-based clinical nurse specialists, for whom genomics is an added part of their wider role, to deliver genomic testing; and whether these specialty-based nurses or specialist genomic nurses, who work only in genomics, are best placed to deliver genomic testing.
CONCLUSION: When planning service provision in the mainstreaming of genetic testing, the capacity and capability of specialty-based clinical nurse specialists should be considered alongside the possible need for specialist genomic nurses.