# Cancer Genetics Professional Education in a Global Community of Practice

> **NIH NIH R25** · BECKMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE/CITY OF HOPE · 2023 · $324,000

## Abstract

The rapid and ongoing infusion of genomic information into clinical practice continues to fuel the need for a
skilled workforce to navigate genomically-informed patient care. National surveys document the continued gap
between the need for, and availability of, clinicians equipped with the knowledge, skills and resources to
integrate complex germline and tumor genetic information into practice. This R25 proposal outlines a plan to further
the mission of the Clinical Cancer Genomics and Community of Practice (CCGCoP) to help address the
continuing demand for clinicians competent in evidence-based cancer genomics care. The CCGCoP is built
on the theoretical framework of situated learning, the resources and expertise of the academic cancer center,
and a distinguished faculty of recognized thought leaders to deliver a multimodal inter-professional course in
genetic cancer risk assessment (GCRA) to clinicians practicing in communities with limited access to GCRA
services. Over the current project period 719 clinicians from diverse practice settings have completed the course
or are now in session, exceeding our projected accrual by 43%. 18% are from underrepresented minorities
(13% Hispanic, 5% African American); 68% deliver all or part of their clinical services to socio-economically
underserved patient populations, and 9% practice in low to middle income countries. The aims for this
continuation proposal are to: 1) Continue the established annual CCGCoP Intensive Course, 2) Update the
current curriculum and learning assessments, 3) Develop and pilot a Self-directed Review Course to address
the need for course alumni to refresh their knowledge and skills with evidence-based cancer genomics content
and case-based activities 4) Evaluate the Intensive Course and Self-directed Review on participant
engagement, knowledge, case-based skills, learning experience and value to practice, and incorporate into
iterative improvements in the self-directed model. Fulfillment of these aims will further our efforts to grow the
number of clinicians with practitioner-level proficiency in genetic cancer genetics across the U.S. and
internationally. Additionally, our plan to develop and pilot a self-directed cancer genetics review course will
support ongoing quality improvement in GCRA for course alumni, and will serve as a framework for our future
development of a fully self-directed version of the intensive course to reach a broader national and international
audience of healthcare professionals.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10769612
- **Project number:** 2R25CA171998-11
- **Recipient organization:** BECKMAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE/CITY OF HOPE
- **Principal Investigator:** KATHLEEN R. BLAZER
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $324,000
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2013-09-19 → 2028-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10769612

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10769612, Cancer Genetics Professional Education in a Global Community of Practice (2R25CA171998-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10769612. Licensed CC0.

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