The Clinical Pathway Initiative: Identifying role relevant competencies in genomic pathways

Mainstreaming genomic medicine creates the challenge of ensuring confidence and competence in the healthcare workforce. The Clinical Pathway Initiative (CPI), led by the NHS Genomics Education Programme, maps competencies and educational resources to clinical pathways where genomics is used to deliver care. This approach supports integration of genomic medicine through a consistent, workforce-agnostic, competency-based framework. Using a familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) clinical pathway, we conducted a process evaluation to assess the usefulness, usability, and acceptability of the CPI in both development and implementation. Quantitative data were collected via rating scales and a modified System Usability Scale (SUS), while qualitative data were generated from interviews and short-answer survey questions with participants, including a range of professional roles and individuals involved in both development and implementation. SUS scores were 65 for development and 72.5 for implementation (68 or higher is above average). Overall, participants recognized the initiative's value in supporting workforce competence. Interviewees highlighted its simplicity, transferability, and role in promoting consistent, high-level genomic standards. These findings support ongoing refinement and evaluation of the CPI in real-world practice.