Training Texas Public Health Professionals and Professionals-In-Training in Genomics

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of genomics training workshops for public health professionals and professionals-in-training.

A pre- and post-test evaluation design with 3-month follow-up.

Thirteen genomics training workshops were delivered across Texas to 377 public health professionals and professionals-in-training (66.7% were ethnic minorities).

Three-hour theory-based, face-to-face genomics training workshops focusing on family health history practice were delivered.

We administered surveys prior to the workshops, immediately post-workshops, and at 3-month follow-up to examine the changes in participants' knowledge, attitudes, intention, self-efficacy, and behavior in adopting genomics into public health practice. Linear mixed modeling analyses were used to analyze the quantitative survey data. A content analysis was also conducted for qualitative survey data analysis.

Genomics practice significantly improved among public health professionals at 3-month follow-up (P < .01). For all participants, knowledge, attitudes, intention, and self-efficacy scores increased significantly immediately post-workshop compared to the pre-workshop scores (all Ps < .01). Knowledge and attitudes scores at the 3-month follow-up remained significantly higher than those scores at the pre-workshop (all Ps < .01). The feedback from workshop participants was positive.

Our genomics training workshop is an effective program that can be disseminated at a national level to establish genomic competencies among public health professionals and professionals-in-training in the United States.