Welcome to the expression of interest page for the Australasian Association of Clinical Geneticists' (AACG) Clinical Genetics Trainees' Orientation Workshop. Please click here if you would like to sign up after reading the information below.

Clinical genetics is in some ways unique for physician training, in that it requires trainees to learn a whole new body of content (and language) and a new working style – there are many more genetic conditions and concepts than the dozen or so you will have been taught for basic training exams. This can be an unsettling and challenging experience for many trainees, and we believe an orientation programme will help to navigate those early choppy waters. To address this need, a small group of consultants and final year trainees have put together this workshop, aimed at first year trainees but open to all (final year trainees are invited to help with the workshop, in particular to assist with the 3rd year led session), with the following goals:

• To develop a support network of peers, early in training
• To deliver a clearer picture of training pathways and opportunities
• To provide foundational concepts and links to high impact resources to solidify early training

The workshop will be an in-person event at the Victorian RACP Offices (Level 2, 417 St. Kilda Road Melbourne VIC 3004) on Saturday the 8th of March, 2025, immediately following the AACG Clinical Cases Meeting in Melbourne (on the 6th and 7th March). The programme will finish by 1630 at the latest, with finalised times to be confirmed (most likely 0830-1600).

The following is our draft programme for the event:
8:30-9 (30) Opening: Intros to each other, training, workshop
9-9:30 (30) Training Pathway Requirements
9:30-10 (30) Genetic counselling
10-10:15 (15) Morning Tea
10:15-10:55 (40) General Clinical Genetics Approach
10:55-11:35 (40) Cancer Genetics Approach
11:35-12:15 (40) Metabolics Approach
12:15-1:00 (45) Lunch
1:00-1:45 (45) 3rd year led session, including self-care
1:45-2:30 (45) Lab technologies
2:30-2:45 (15) Afternoon Tea
2:45-3:30 (45) High Impact Resources and Databases
3:30-4:00 (30) Opportunities outside of clinical work; Closing

We understand this is an extra commitment for you, and we are very motivated to make this worth your (and our) time and effort. We are very grateful to the RACP Victorian Offices who are providing free seminar rooms, the AACG who are funding the catering, and the committee members who are providing their time – there will be no course costs for this workshop.

Please don't hesitate to contact [email protected] (or talk with one of your local committee members) if you have any questions, but otherwise please click here to sign up.

With best wishes, 

The AUG Committee (an AACG sub-committee responsible for the orientation workshop)

Dr Russell Gear (Vic and NZ)
Dr Chris Richmond (Qld)
Dr Alison McLean (NSW)
Dr Tahlee Minto (Vic and Qld)
Dr Renee Santoreneos (Vic and SA)
Dr Margit Shah (NSW)
Dr Brieana Dance (NSW)