Have you ever wondered how much of your genetic makeup you received from your parents? Have you ever wondered what genetic diseases you might be at an increased risk for? These questions and more can be answered by a genetic counselor, a specialized healthcare professional trained in medical genetics, and psychosocial counseling.
Genetic counseling is a unique, patient-oriented, and engaging medical profession. You are most likely to interact with a genetic counselor if you are referred to one by your physician. Genetic counselors have a master’s degree (M.S.) in Genetic counseling and a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as biology, psychology, chemistry, or public health (“GC Admissions Match Statistics, 2024”). To become a genetic counselor you need to take all the required undergraduate courses for admission (this may vary between programs), attend a program approved by the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling, have experience in healthcare, counseling, and scientific research, and pass the Genetic Counseling licensure exam. Applying to an accredited Genetic Counseling program is done through a matching system, similar to how fourth-year medical students apply to medical residencies. It is also important to note that genetic counseling and medical genetics are not the same; medical genetics is a specialty for physicians and genetic counselors often work with these physicians.
What genetic counselors do specifically is multifaceted; they interpret your genetic testing results, help you cope upon learning you or your family members are at high risk for a genetic disorder, and can help you adapt to any major life changes you encounter after being diagnosed with a genetic disorder (Venditti, 2024). Genetic counselors often work for hospital systems, medical diagnostic laboratories, or medical research facilities. Genetic Counselors also have important roles in the direct-to-consumer genetic testing industry and the field of public health.
You are more likely to be referred to a genetic counselor based on the following important factors: you received an “abnormal” test result, you are having a child at or over 35 years old, you have had multiple miscarriages or stillbirths, your child has a diagnosed inherited disorder, or you are of a specific ethnicity (MedLine Plus). For example, Ashkenazi Jews and people of French descent are at high risk for developing Tay-Sachs disease, a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the HEXA gene (“Tay-Sachs Disease”). Moreover, Genetic Counselors may have a specialty, such as psychiatry, neurology, oncology, or prenatal genetics (“About Genetic Counselors”).
Because of how unique the genetic counseling profession is, it is in high demand at the moment. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects Genetic Counseling jobs to grow 16% from 2022 to 2032 (“Genetic Counselors: Occupational Outlook”). Additionally, current Genetic Counselors and field leaders expect changes to how genetic counseling is traditionally done, both in its delivery and its composition. Firstly, telehealth appointments and phone counseling are available, increasing everyone’s access to genetic counseling. Previously, patients who did not live near an academic medical center had to travel to one to receive genetic counseling. Additionally, artificial intelligence can expedite the more routine aspects of a genetic counseling visit, and virtual reality, video, and other visual aids can be tailored to a patient’s specific genetic composition (Trisha Brown qtd. in NSGC Perspectives). Because artificial intelligence can answer general questions relatively well, experts believe that genetic counselors should have a guide-like role rather than an educator role. This is important because genetic counseling sessions can emphasize lifestyle changes that the patient needs to make to care for their condition and improve their quality of life (Jason Flanagan qtd. in NSGC Perspectives). Lastly, patients typically have one or a few sessions with a genetic counselor once they are referred. That model will likely change, especially with virtual clinics and app-based support becoming more common in other medical spaces. (Amy Sturm qtd. in NSGC Perspectives).
In summary, our genes have a story that Genetic Counselors help tell. With that knowledge in hand, you can make informed decisions about your care and your needs.
Works Cited
MedLine Plus Contributors. (2021, May 12). Why might someone have a genetic consultation?: MedlinePlus Genetics. Medlineplus.gov; National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/consult/reasons/#:~:text=The%20reasons%20that%20a%20person
National Matching Services Contributors. (2021, December 9). GC Admissions Match | Statistics. Natmatch.com; National Matching Services. https://natmatch.com/gcadmissions/statistics.html
National Society of Genetic Counselors. (n.d.). About Genetic Counselors. Www.nsgc.org; National Society of Genetic Counselors. Retrieved July 22, 2024, from https://www.nsgc.org/About/About-Genetic-Counselors
National Society of Genetic Counselors Contributors. (n.d.). Becoming a Genetic Counselor. Www.nsgc.org; National Society of Genetic Counselors. Retrieved July 23, 2024, from https://www.nsgc.org/About/Becoming-a-Genetic-Counselor#:~:text=Ideal%20candidates%20also%20have%20experiences
NSGC Perspectives Contributors. (2022, June 30). Eight Genetic Counselors Discuss the Future of Genetic Counseling. Nsgc-Perspectives; National Society of Genetic Counselors. https://perspectives.nsgc.org/Article/eight-genetic-counselors-discuss-the-future-of-genetic-counseling
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2018, April 13). Genetic Counselors : Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Bls.gov; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/genetic-counselors.htm
Venditti, C. P. (2024, July 22). Genetic Counseling. Genome.gov; National Human Genome Research Institute. https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Genetic-Counseling
Wikipedia Contributors. (2019, January 21). Tay–Sachs disease. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tay%E2%80%93Sachs_disease
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