Genetic counseling

[1][2] The process integrates: The practice of advising people about inherited traits began around the turn of the 20th century, shortly after William Bateson suggested that the new medical and biological study of heredity be called "genetics".

[7] It was not, though, until later that the importance of a firm psychological basis was recognized and became an essential part of genetic counseling, the writings of Seymour Kessler making a particular contribution to this.

[8] The first master's degree genetic counseling program in the United States was founded in 1969 at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York.

The decision about whether or not to proceed with presymptomatic testing should entail a thoughtful approach and consideration of various medical, reproductive, social, insurance, and financial factors, with no "right" or "wrong" answer.

Counselors help clients cope with and adapt to the emotional, psychological, medical, social, and economic consequences of the test results.

Results suggest that genetic counseling can lead to increased knowledge, perceived personal control, positive health behaviors, and improved risk perception accuracy as well as decreases in anxiety, cancer-related worry, and decisional conflict.

The indications to carry out PGT-A are: previous aneuploidy in the couple, implantation failure, recurrent miscarriage, severe male factor or advanced maternal age.

This is done by identifying patients with known or suspected heritable cardiovascular diseases and promoting cascade family screening or testing of at-risk relatives.

[citation needed] Common referral reasons include: Guidelines on cardiovascular genetics are published by multiple professional societies.

[30] General referral indications can include, but are not limited to: Genetic counselors specializing in neurogenetics are involved in the care of individuals who have or are at risk to develop conditions affecting the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) or peripheral nervous system (the nerves that leave the spinal cord and go to other places in the body, such as the feet and hands, skeletal muscles, and internal organs).

Effects of these conditions can lead to various impairments some examples of which include cognitive decline, intellectual disability, seizures, uncontrolled movements (e.g. ataxia, chorea), muscle weakness, paralysis, or atrophy.

[citation needed]Examples of neurogenetic disorders include: Pediatric genetic counseling can be indicated for newborns, infants, children and their families.

[74] Genetic counselors also discuss strategies to promote recovery and protect mental health and address any questions on chances for recurrence in other family members.

[81] Genetic counseling in China (mainland) has been primarily provided by pediatricians or obstetricians for prenatal or birth defect diagnoses.

CBGC was established in 2015 and is the major professional organization for genetic counselors in mainland China, providing training through short term online and in-person lectures, educational conferences, and certification for trainees.

There are no official statistics for the number of health care professionals (e.g., physicians, nurses, and lab technicians) who are providing genetic counseling services in China.

The program, which was made to address an Africa-wide shortage of genetic counsellors, and to facilitate related research, was developed in close collaboration with the two courses in South Africa.

[81] As of 2023, around 960 genetic counsellors practice in 19 European nations: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.

Genetic counselors are not currently recognized as a profession in several European countries including Austria, Belgium, Germany, and Portugal.

Prerequisites for acceptance on all the programmes include a degree in a relevant science or a nursing or midwifery qualification, and experience in a caring role.

[82][92] Genetic counselors with training from the UK, Europe and Australia are eligible for registration and GCs qualified in other countries are considered on a case-by-case basis.

[106] Graduate school coursework includes topics such as human genetics, embryology, ethics, research, and counseling theory and techniques.

These states are Alabama, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

Laws requiring licensure ensure that "professionals who call themselves genetic counselors are able to properly explain complicated test results that could confuse patients and families making important health decisions".

3235 "Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2019," was introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-Iowa) and U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pennsylvania).

[citation needed] Cuba is the only country in Central and South America with a significant number of GCs, all of whom work for the Ministry of Health's National Center for Medical Genetics.

[81] The Israeli Ministry of Health offers licensure to genetic counselors in Israel following an exam written one year after their post-graduate work and 85-case logbook.

Telephone delivery has proven "less expensive, yielded non-inferior cognitive, minimized psychological distress, facilitated informed decision making, and achieved positive counselor-patient interactions."

[117] An increase in genetic counseling outreach efforts are needed to intentionally extend opportunities to populations that have been historically underrepresented in the profession to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce and access to services.

[121] Another model of care that has been investigated is the provision of specially-trained nurses or other non-genetics healthcare personnel to identify persons eligible for genetic testing, and to provide pre-test counselling.