QGenome - A quick start guide...
QGenome has been specifically developed for clinicians and currently requires users to register with an NHS or private healthcare organisational email. Upon registering, users are asked to choose their GMSA (Genomic Medicine Service Alliance), depending on the location of their organisation or clinical practice, as shown in the map below. The user can then access all the content contained in their GMSA library.
In their GMSA library, users will see 4 different tabs at the bottom of the screen, which allow them to navigate different areas of the app and its content:
Latest – takes users to the latest published content for their library.
A-Z – provides content in alphabetical order and is searchable by key words.
Collections – groups related documents and workflows for ease of access e.g. bowel cancer, aortopathies.
Pages – takes users to landing pages relevant to specific genomic speciality areas e.g. cardiac genomics, primary care guidance.
Format
QGenome provides clinical guidance for different conditions in two main formats - Workflows and Documents. The app also provides referral Forms for different genomic specialty areas which can be readily attached to referral emails.
Workflows
Workflows guide users through a series of questions pertaining to their patient's personal and family history. The questions do not require any patient identifiable details and therefore the assessment is anonymous. Once the workflow has been completed, the application generates a summary report which can be printed, saved or shared by email.
Workflows cover the following key areas:
Referral guidance
Provide a simple brief framework of questions relating to the patient's personal and family history to help users decide whether a patient requires onward referral to tertiary genetics services or whether the patient can be managed within primary or secondary care.
Risk assessment
Generate a risk assessment based on personal and family history information that has been entered by the user. The risk assessment states the patient’s risk level, what risk-reducing options are available and where the patient should be referred for further management.
Genomic testing
Can be used to determine a patient's eligibility for genomic testing. They encompass inherited/rare disease and cancer genomic testing criteria aligned with the NHSE national genomic test directory and provide quick links to key documents, for example the Genomic Laboratory Hub's genomic test request forms and Record of Discussion form.
Links to useful resources are embedded in the workflows to provide additional support for users where needed.
Documents
Documents provide information about specific genomic conditions, illustrative case studies and useful links to resources in order to support clinicians in their day-to-day clinical practice.
QGenome contains the following document types:
Reference guide
The application contains a reference guide summarising current knowledge about specific hereditary conditions.
For each disease group there is a 'Conditions to consider' document which provides links to the relevant sections of the reference guide.
There are links to external websites and guidance, for example the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and recent peer-reviewed published literature.
Glossary
The glossary explains specific genetic terminology and concepts used in QGenome.
Case studies
These are example clinical scenarios for different conditions which can be used as a training resource by users to ensure they are accessing QGenome in a time-efficient and clinically appropriate way.
Forms
Forms allow users to send referral information for their patient and provide feedback on QGenome. This data is used to iteratively improve the app and identify areas of unmet need in terms of patient access to genomic testing.
Key Features
QGenome also provides the following key features:
Journal
Users can save workflows and referral forms for patients in their Journal. They can choose multiple workflows/forms for a particular patient from their journal at a later date to create a pdf document. This pdf can then be attached to a referral email and sent to the relevant specialist genomics service - see the Contact Us page in the app for referral contact details. Please label the workflows/forms in such a way as to ensure no patient identifiable information is used, in line with current GDPR guidance for QGenome.
Reading list
Users can bookmark documents and workflows that are of particular interest to them or applicable to their area of clinical practice by clicking on the bookmark icon in the top right-hand corner of the document/workflow start page. Bookmarked documents/workflows can be accessed via the Reading list in the home menu at any time, even off-line.
Star rating
Users can rate documents and workflows they have found particularly helpful by clicking the star icon in the top right-hand corner of the document/workflow start page. This provides the QGenome team with important data regarding the utility of the app and allows us to tailor content more appropriately to suit clinicians' needs.
Share option
Users can share documents and workflows with colleagues and patients by clicking the branched icon in the top right-hand corner of the document/workflow start page. This feature enables shared learning and decision-making within teams and between clinicians and their patients if appropriate.
As you can see, QGenome has been designed with clinicians and patients at the forefront of our minds, with the aim of putting genomic risk assessment, referral pathways and testing guidance at your fingertips. So why wait? Download the app and get started today…