Frequently Asked Questions about Laboratory Genetics and Genomics Updated June 2017 To help clarify some of the relevant questions about the transition to the new specialty, Laboratory Genetics and Genomics (LGG), we have compiled this list of "FAQs" and responses. Although they are broken down by relevancy to specific groups to facilitate finding the most relevant answers, many are applicable to all individuals. To jump to sections that are most relevant to you, please click one of the links below: Questions Relevant to Current/Future Trainees Questions Relevant to Returning Trainees/Diplomates Questions Relevant to Program Directors of Accredited Programs 1
Questions Relevant to Current/Future Trainees Return to Introduction Q: A fellow is starting training in Clinical Cytogenetics and Genomics (CGG) and Clinical Molecular Genetics and Genomics (MGG) as a three-year program in July 2016. Can they transfer into LGG? Timeframe? A: Yes, once a training program has been accredited for LGG training, the fellow may transfer into the LGG training program, but only within the first 6 months of their training (from his/her start date). The Program must submit a revised Trainee Information Form to the ABMGG Administrative Office (abmgg@abmgg.org) within four weeks of the transfer. If the program is not accredited by that time, the fellow will be allowed to complete the 3-year program but will not be able to transition into LGG. Q: A fellow is entering a CGG (or MGG) training program in July 2016. Can the fellow complete their training in the single specialty or a three-year combined program? A: Yes, a fellow entering in 2016 will be able to complete his/her training in a single specialty or a combined three-year program. Q: A fellow is entering a CGG (or MGG) training program in July 2016. Can they transition into LGG once the program is accredited? A: Yes, once a program has been accredited for LGG training, a fellow in either a CGG or MGG program will be able to transfer into the LGG training program, but only within the first 6 months of their training (from his/her start date). The Program must submit a revised Trainee Information Form to the ABMGG Administrative Office (abmgg@abmgg.org) within four weeks of the transfer. If the program is not accredited by that time, the fellow will be allowed to complete the 2-year program in the single specialty or complete the 3-year program in both specialties. Q: A fellow is completing CGG in June 2017 and is continuing in MGG training for an additional year. They are planning to take the CGG exam in 2017. Will they be eligible to take the MGG or LGG examination in 2019? A: The fellow will be eligible for either exam option. Q: A fellow will have completed training in CGG and MGG (not the LGG program) and plans to sit for the certification examinations in 2019. Will they sit for the LGG exam or for both the MGG and CGG examinations? A: The fellow will be able to opt to take the separate exams for MGG and CGG or the LGG exam in 2019. 2
Q: A fellow completes CGG and MGG training programs in 2018. Can they choose to sit for the LGG exam or both the CGG and MGG exams separately? A: They would be eligible to sit for either the LGG exam or the separate CGG and MGG examinations. Q: We have accepted a fellow to start in July 2017 in CGG. Can they train only in CGG beginning July 2017? A: No. As of July 1, 2017, fellows will no longer be able to start training in an individual CGG or MGG program. Those already in a training program may complete their training, but no new fellows may begin training in solely CGG or MGG as of July 1, 2017. Q: We have a fellow training in clinical biochemical genetics (CBG) who wants to also train in LGG. Will the training for the additional specialty be one or two years? A: Training in LGG as a specialty will require two years. Q: A Medical Genetics and Genomics resident would like to train in LGG. Will the training for the additional specialty be one or two years? A: Training in LGG as a specialty will require two years. Q: A fellow wishes to become certified in CBG and LGG. If they do LGG first, can CBG be added on with one additional year for a total of 36 months? A: Yes, if a fellow completes LGG first, then they may complete CBG training in one additional year. Q: When will the first LGG certification exam be offered? A: The first LGG exam will be offered in August 2019. Q: For how long will the CGG and MGG certification examinations continue to be offered? A: The CGG and MGG individual certification examinations will be offered for as long as there are eligible applicants to sit for the exams. See the current Exam Bulletin for eligibility requirements at www.abmgg.org). 3
Questions Relevant to Returning Trainees/Diplomates Return to Introduction Q: A diplomate was certified in CGG and would like to return to train in MGG in 2017 as an additional year of training. Is this acceptable? A: If a diplomate in CGG or MGG would like to train for an additional year, they may be allowed to do so under certain circumstances. Specifically, a trainee information form and additional documentation that details how the training will be completed and ensures that all ABMGG requirements will be met must be sent to the Credentials Committee for review and formal approval PRIOR to beginning training. Q: A diplomate was certified in Clinical Biochemical Genetics (CBG) and would like to return to train in MGG in 2017 as an additional year of training. Is this acceptable? (Added in June 2017) A: As of July 2017, no trainees may be accepted into MGG or CGG only programs. Diplomates in CBG who are interested in adding another laboratory specialty would be required to complete training in an accredited LGG program. Exceptions will be made for diplomates in either CGG or MGG who are interested in adding one year of training to allow for LGG eligibility. Q: I am certified in MGG and would like to become certified in LGG. How can I gain the additional training needed to be eligible for the examination? A: For current diplomates in CGG or MGG who wish to consider LGG certification, the ABMGG is actively working on developing options on how such diplomates may obtain formal training in the complementary specialty. Our goal is to have some concrete options finalized by the end of December 2016. Q: I am certified in MGG and would like to become certified in LGG. Can I just submit an application and sit for the 2019 exam? A: No. Additional training will be necessary. The ABMGG is actively working on developing options on how such diplomates may obtain formal training in the complementary specialty. Our goal is to have some concrete options finalized by the end of December 2016. Q: I am certified in CGG only (or MGG only) and want to remain so. Will I be able to do so? A: Yes. Your certificate remains valid and MOC for CGG (or MGG) will continue. 4
Questions Relevant to Program Directors of Accredited Programs Return to Introduction Q: Our program is accredited for training in CGG and MGG. What is the deadline for submitting our application for LGG? A: There is no specific deadline for LGG application submission; however, training programs will not be able to accept fellows in the individual MGG or CGG programs after June 30, 2017. ABMGG s goal is to transition all programs to LGG before July 1, 2017. The ABMGG Accreditation Committee is determined to review applications promptly and thoroughly through this transition year. Q: Our program has accreditation for CGG and MGG, but we do not plan to transition to LGG. When is the last date that we will be able to accept fellows in the separate programs? A: Training programs will not be able to accept new trainees into stand-alone MGG or CGG programs after June 30, 2017. Q: Our program is accredited in CGG, but not in MGG. What are our options for training after July 2017? A: After June 30, 2017, all new trainees must matriculate into an accredited LGG program, not in an individual MGG or CGG training. Trainees who have matriculated in a program prior to June 30, 2017, may finish either one or two specialties sequentially. Programs may submit an application for LGG accreditation at any time. Q: In what specialty(ies) does the Training Director for LGG need to be certified? A: Training Director(s) for LGG must be certified in MGG and/or CGG. If the proposed Training Director is not certified in both specialties, programs may appoint up to two Training Co-Directors with one certified in MGG and one certified in CGG. Q: Will the laboratories for CGG and MGG need to be consolidated or can they remain separate? A: The laboratories may remain separate or they may be combined. However, the training must be integrated per the program accreditation requirements. 5
Q: How is the content of focused clinical training defined and by when must it be decided? Is it required? A: Up to six months of the required 24 months in the LGG clinical fellowship may be allotted for focused clinical training. This period may be used for dedicated clinical training in a particular aspect of the LGG curriculum (i.e., cancer genetics), but the specific content must be agreed upon by the PD and fellow, with input from the specialty training director(s). The focused experience may be crafted to address a trainee's particular career goals or to focus on any clinical areas in which the Training and Program Directors determine the trainee would benefit from more focused training. If such a period of focused clinical training is either indicated or desired, the specific details of how this time will be spent must be determined by the time of a trainee's 12-month semi-annual review with the Program Director. Under no circumstance should the total length of the LGG fellowship be reduced below the minimum of 24 months clinical training. Q: Do the ABMGG Laboratory Training Milestones apply to LGG trainees? A: Yes, the ABMGG Laboratory Training Milestones were designed to apply to all laboratory genetics specialties, including LGG. Q: Is any time allotted for research in the LGG track of 24 months? A: No. In order to complete all necessary clinical laboratory and rotation requirements, research is not included in the standard two year program. Q: When do I need to include additional time for research or additional clinical training time in my accreditation application? A: If the overall training period is extended by integrating additional training (clinical or research) into the program, the Program Director must include the additional training as part of the LGG accreditation application and block diagram for review. 6
Q: Our program would like to require fellows to train for longer than the required 24 months for LGG. May we increase the duration of training? A: It is at the program director s discretion to offer additional training beyond the minimum 24 months of the accredited program that focuses on either cytogenetic or molecular genetics topics and/or on a meaningful research experience. If a program requires trainees to be involved in research after the completion of the 24 months in the ABMGG LGG training program, the additional time does not require ABMGG approval. This will not affect the fellow s eligibility to sit for the Certification Exam after successful completion of the 24 months LGG training program. If a program plans to integrate research and/or additional clinical training into the program over a period greater than the required 24 months, the Program Director must include the additional training as part of the LGG accreditation application and block diagram for review by the Accreditation Committee. NOTE: If an accredited 2-year LGG training program has a trainee that plans to integrate research time into the training program, then an individual training plan and block diagram must be submitted and reviewed by the Credentials Committee before the trainee begins any modified training program. 7