Maternal Serum Screening

Chair: Kareena Schnabl, University of Alberta Hospital
General Objectives: By the end of the symposium, participants will be able to:
1.   Evaluate the biochemical and molecular testing options available for prenatal screening of trisomies in Canada
2.   Describe and appreciate the technical aspects of cell free fetal DNA
3.   Outline the clinical impact of the inclusion of cell free fetal DNA testing to current testing guidelines and describe approaches taken in different Canadian provinces
4.   Appreciate the impact of the PEGASUS initiative on clinical practice

Question Title

* 1. Please asses the Sessions overrall

  Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree
Sufficient time was allowed for audience participation/active learning
The facilities were satisfactory.
The session was free from commercial bias
Overall, I would rate this Symposium as excellent

Please assess each Speaker by their Session:

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* 2. Prenatal screening for Down syndrome: The role of Biochemical markers

Speaker: Nathalie Lepage,
Head, Biochemical Genetics Laboratory, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario

Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the markers used for various protocols for Down syndrome screening.
2. Compare the screening performance of the various protocols.
3. Estimate the impact of patient characteristics on screening performance.

  Poor Fair Good Very Good Outstanding
Clarity of Voice
Met Stated Objectives
Balanced & Unbiased
Relevant to Practice Overall
Time for Active Learning

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* 3. Technical aspects and quality features of the NIPT noninvasive prenatal test

Speaker: Barry Hoffman,
Mount Sinai Hospital

Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the common elements of the Noninvasive Prenatal Test [NIPT].
2. Compare the different NIPT assay designs available commercially to determine Trisomy 21.
3. Discuss analytical, physiological and clinical features that bear on the quality and rigour of NIPT.
4. Itemize strengths and limitations of NIPT.
5. Summarize briefly the clinical performance of NIPT.
6. Explain how fetal aneuploidy can be determined from cell free fetal DNA fragments circulating in the maternal blood.

  Poor Fair Good Very Good Outstanding
Clarity of Voice
Met Stated Objectives
Balanced & Unbiased
Relevant to Practice Overall
Time for Active Learning

Question Title

* 4. Options for prenatal screening for trisomies in Canada

Speaker: Radha Chari,
Chair Department Ob-Gyn, Zone Department Head, University of Alberta, Alberta Health Services

Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Compare the different options for screening.
2. Explain NIPT.
3. Compare NIPT to other biochemical screening options.
4. Summarize different approaches available in Canada.


  Poor Fair Good Very Good Outstanding
Clarity of Voice
Met Stated Objectives
Balanced & Unbiased
Relevant to Practice Overall
Time for Active Learning

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* 5. As a result of attending this session, I am planning to:

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* 6. Please explain any changes you plan to make or personal learning projects you will pursue as a result of this session:

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* 7. Please indicate which CanMEDS roles you felt were addressed during this educational activity. (Select all that apply)

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* 8. General comments about individual speaker:

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* 9. What topics would you like to be addressed at future conferences to keep you up to date in your profession?

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