The meeting was facilitated by Prof. Mikayel Narimanyan, Rector of the Yerevan State Medical University. The 29 participants of the meeting were practicing physicians, also involved in medical education (from corresponding teaching departments of YSMU), representing all major medical specialties such as Internal Diseases, Surgery, Pediatrics, Ob-Gyn, Hematology, Oncology, Allergology and Immunology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, etc.
During the Consultation the following issues were raised and discussed by the stakeholders:
- Lack of Medical Genetics specialists in the country is an issue that should be addressed;
- The fields of Medical Genetics that are covered in the training programs of other medical specialties were presented, to avoid overlapping and ensure integration of curricula;
- The volume of basic science courses, such as biochemistry, pathophysiology, medical biology, biostatistics, etc.;
- Advanced laboratory methods should be taught to enable specialists interpret the results of the testing;
- Public awareness campaigns should be organized to educate communities about genetic counseling and its importance.