Expanding the primary care workforce by integrating genetic counselors in multidisciplinary care teams
Date
2024-10-23
Authors
Vanneste, Rachel
Bauer, Sasha A
Borle, Kennedy
Dreikorn, Erika
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Family Practice
ORCID
Type
Article
Degree Level
Abstract
Collectively, rare diseases are common, affecting approximately 8% of the population in Canada and the USA. Therefore, the majority of primary care (PC) clinicians will care for patients who are affected or at risk for a genetic disease. Considering the increasing ways in which genetics is being implemented into all areas of healthcare, one way to address these needs and expand the capacity of the PC workforce is through the integration of genetic counselors (GCs) into PC multidisciplinary teams. GCs are Masters-educated allied health professionals with specialized training in molecular genetics, communication, and short-term psychotherapeutic counseling. The current models of GCs in PC mimic other multidisciplinary models. Complex tasks related to genetics, such as pre- and post-test counseling, genetic test selection, and results interpretation, are conducted by GCs, which, in turn, allows physicians, nurse practitioners, and other PC providers to work at the top of their scope of practice. Quality genetics services provided by GCs improve clinical outcomes for patients and their families; the simultaneous provision of genetic education and psychological support by a GC is associated with an increase in patient knowledge, perceived personal control, decrease in distress, and can lead to positive health behavior changes, all of which are aligned with the goals of primary healthcare. With their extensive training in clinical care, medical communication, and psychotherapeutic counseling, integrating GCs into PC care teams will improve the care patients receive and allow PC clinicians to ensure their patients are at the forefront of the personalized medicine revolution.
Description
Keywords
Genetic Counseling, Delivery of Health Care, Primary Health Care, Patient Care Team, Health Personnel, Allied Health Personnel
Citation
Rachel Vanneste, Sasha A Bauer, Kennedy Borle, Erika Dreikorn, Expanding the primary care workforce by integrating genetic counselors in multidisciplinary care teams, Family Practice, Volume 42, Issue 2, April 2025, cmae057, https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmae057
Degree
Department
Program
Advisor
Committee
Part Of
item.page.relation.ispartofseries
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1093/fampra/cmae057