Development of Genetic Counseling Services in Taiwan

Abstract

Taiwan is an emerging industrial country in subtropical Asia with a population of 23 million. There were around 200,000 newborns in 2011. Delayed first marriage, low birth rate, and rapid aging are major demographic issues. Genetic counseling services were established following the rapid introduction of genetic technology and enactment of relevant laws and regulations. Ultrasound was first used in 1968 to examine pregnant women. The first amniotic fluid laboratory was founded in 1981 to identify chromosomal abnormalities. In 1984, the Genetic Health Act was legislated for prevention and control of genetic disorders, and the metabolic disorder screen project was launched. National Health Insurance with overall coverage of prenatal examinations was established in 1995. A master-level genetic counseling program was launched in 2003 and by 2011 has graduated eighty students. Two professional societies have been formed to certify genetic counselors, and 66 professionals have been certified. In summary, genetic counseling services in Taiwan are continuously improving.

Components of genetic counsellor education: A systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature

“…In addition, many programmes include clinical training in relevant healthcare clinics, for example prenatal, general paediatrics and cancer (Qari et al 2013;McEwen et al 2013;Laurino and Padilla 2013;Sagi and Uhlmann 2013;Sahhar et al 2013) or in primary health care (Cruz 2013). Some programmes include a research project or a thesis (Qari et al 2013;Bedard et al 2007;Sahhar et al 2013;Sagi and Uhlmann 2013;McEwen et al 2013;Laurino and Padilla 2013) and some included laboratory work (Qari et al 2013;;Chien et al 2013).…”

“…In Cuba, there were two different programmes where the first of the programmes was for physicians with specialties other than genetics (such as family medicine, paediatrics or obstetrics) (Cruz 2013), and the second was designed for other professionals such as psychologists, nurses or social workers to enable them to become genetic counsellors. In Taiwan, students with various medical backgrounds such as nurses, technicians, doctors and psychologist could participate in the programme (Chien et al 2013). In France practicing health professionals were eligible , while in Australia, the programme was mostly targeted at non-medical health professionals (McEwen et al 2013).…”

“…Human genetics and human population genetics courses were also included in the Saudi Arabian curriculum (Qari et al 2013). Other authors mentioned clinical or medical genetics courses (Qari et al 2013;Sagi and Uhlmann 2013;McEwen et al 2013;Chien et al 2013) as part of the programme. Other subjects mentioned were metabolic diseases molecular cytology, embryology, fetal ultrasound (Sagi and Uhlmann 2013) and pathology .…”

“…Counselling Authors of six of the papers stated that courses in counselling skills (Qari et al 2013;Sahhar et al 2013;McEwen et al 2013;Chien et al 2013) or health communication skills (Sahhar et al 2013) were part of the programme.…”

A Report on Ten Asia Pacific Countries on Current Status and Future Directions of the Genetic Counseling Profession: The Establishment of the Professional Society of Genetic Counselors in Asia

“…In the Asia Pacific region, some countries have no formal genetic counseling services, while others have existing training programs (Chien et al 2013;Chiyo and Tamura 2005;Laurino and Padilla 2013;Lee and Thong 2013;Sahhar et al 2013). These disparities and the need for clinical and research genetic counseling services across the region served as the context and impetus for the establishment of the Professional Society of Genetic Counselors in Asia (PSGCA), a special interest group that abides by the bylaws and constitution of its parent society, the Asia Pacific Society of Human Genetics (APSHG).…”