AAOHN to Air Webcast on Genetic Testing, Screening
Mapping and sequencing of the human genome has opened the door to a new era in personalized medicine. These scientific advances carry with them the promise of early detection of disease, determination of genetic risk, new treatment options, and preventive measures. However, there is a potential downside to these advances--consumers have concerns about the misuse of genetic testing and screening in employment discrimination or insurance coverage limitations. There also may be a significant regulatory and legal impact on employers. To explore these issues, the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Inc. is airing a webcast titled “Genetic Surveillance and Screening: Implications for Today’s Workforce” on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008, from 2-3 p.m. EST.
Linda A. McCauley, RN, PhD, FAAN, FAAOHN, Nightingale professor of nursing and associate dean for nursing research at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, will conduct the webcast. In addition to directing an undergraduate community health course and an occupational health option for graduate students, McCauley is on the faculty in the Master’s in Public Health Program, is an associate scholar in the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the Penn School of Medicine, and is a member of the Penn Center for Excellence in Environmental Toxicology. She has particular interest in emerging technology and its impact on occupational health practice.
Rapid advances in the field of genetic susceptibility have significant implications for occupational health professionals as genetic testing and surveillance of the work force will reveal a variety of common occupational injuries and illnesses. AAOHN says the webcast will equip participants to:
- describe genetic advances that have increased the ability to identify individual susceptibility;
- discuss common occupational injuries and illnesses with a strong genetic susceptibility component; and
- explain major concerns regarding use of genetic screening in the workplace.
The registration fee for this webcast is $50 for AAOHN members registering online, $60 if registering by fax or mail. For non-members, the registration fee is $75 if registering online and $85 if registering by fax or mail. Faxed registration forms must be received by 5 p.m. EST on Nov. 17, 2008. Participants will earn 1.0 CNE contact hour for attending this session. For more information and complete details, visit www.aaohn.org or call (770) 455-7757.