Public Health Genetic Counselors: Activities, Skills, and Sources of Learning

Abstract

Specialization within genetic counseling is apparent, with 29 primary specialties listed in the National Society of Genetic Counselors' 2012 Professional Status Survey (PSS). PSS results show a steady proportion of genetic counselors primarily involved in public health, yet do not identify all those performing public health activities. Little is known about the skills needed to perform activities outside of "traditional" genetic counselor roles and the expertise needed to execute those skills. This study aimed to identify genetic counselors engaging in public health activities, the skills used, and the most influential sources of learning for those skills. Participants (N = 155) reported involvement in several public health categories: (a) Education of Public and/or Health Care Providers (n = 80, 52 %), (b) Population-Based Screening Programs (n = 70, 45 %), (c) Lobbying/Public Policy (n = 62, 40 %), (d) Public Health Related Research (n = 47, 30 %), and (e) State Chronic Disease Programs (n = 12, 8 %). Regardless of category, "on the job" was the most common primary source of learning. Genetic counseling training program was the most common secondary source of learning. Results indicate that the number of genetic counselors performing public health activities is likely higher than PSS reports, and that those who may not consider themselves "public health genetic counselors" do participate in public health activities. Genetic counselors learn a diverse skill set in their training programs; some skills are directly applicable to public health genetics, while other public health skills require additional training and/or knowledge.

Genetic education, knowledge and experiences between nurses and physicians in primary care in Brazil: A cross‐sectional study

“…Genetic counseling is also considered a powerful communication strategy to evaluate the recurring risks of a genetic disorder (Horovitz et al, 2006;Silva et al, 2013b;McWalter et al, 2015;Skirton et al, 2015). However, GC demands specific knowledge to address family health needs in order to provide information on risk assessment, prognosis, and prevention options.…”

“…In Brazil, almost all patients and families affected by genetic illnesses are largely unfamiliar with their clinical condition (Flória-Santos et al, 2013Silva et al, 2013b). The government needs to provide more financial support for the inclusion and integration of genetic services in primary care in order to establish more effective family practice (Lopes-Júnior et al, 2014a;Passos-Bueno et al, 2014;McWalter et al, 2015). The World Health Organization supports this idea, indicating that GC is both feasible and necessary in PHC (World Health Organization, 2004).…”

An examination of the factors contributing to the expansion of subspecialty genetic counseling

“…This value of lifelong learning has been reflected in genetic counseling subspecialties. Eighty-one percent of public health genetic counselors reported learning skills necessary for their position on the job (McWalter, Sdano, Dave, Powell, & Callanan, 2015;Powell, Hasegawa, & McWalter, 2010). Likewise, 86% of cardiovascular genetic counselors reported having to obtain additional knowledge regarding cardiovascular conditions outside of their graduate training (Somers et al, 2014).…”

“…The skill‐set of genetic counselors is adaptable, diverse, and able to be applied to various subspecialties. Some case reports have highlighted genetic counselors’ experiences in subspecialty positions (Inglis et al, ; McWalter et al, ; Powell et al, ; Stadler & Mulvihill, ). Likewise, some studies have documented how these kinds of positions came to be (Everett, Gustafson, & Raymond, ; Inglis et al, ; Zetzsche et al, ).…”

“It gives them more options”: preferences for preconception genetic carrier screening for fragile X syndrome in primary healthcare

“…Recently, the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) acknowledged a more generic consent process may be needed in the context of expanded carrier screening (Grody et al 2013). To allay concerns that this may not provide sufficient information for all individuals, multiple methods of information delivery (i.e., information brochures, decision aids, smart phone applications, websites, and the opportunity to speak to a genetic counselor by telephone) could be used so that additional information and support is available to those who require it (Birch 2015;McWalter et al 2015). Research has shown that as more conditions are added to screening programs, condition-specific knowledge decreases (Ioannou et al 2014).…”