What to expect at a genetic counselling appointment

Genetic testing can be used to provide diagnoses and inform family-planning and decision-making. The uses of genetic testing are only increasing and with it, so are services requiring the translation of this genetic information to the patient. This is where genetic counsellors come in. A genetic counsellor is a healthcare professional who provides information and resources to patients about genetic conditions, tests related to those conditions, and facilitates genetic testing. As many patients are seeing a genetics specialist for the first time, this video provides patients with an idea about what to expect when going to see a genetic counsellor and how best to prepare for an appointment.
As part of research for this video, students made personal observations while shadowing genetic counselling appointments.
This video was made by McMaster Demystifying Medicine students Sarah Muir, Gina Nguyen, Mirette Mounir and Amandeep Nagi.
Copyright McMaster University 2019.
References:
Cutting, G. R. (2015, January). Cystic fibrosis genetics: from molecular understanding to clinical application. Nature Reviews Genetics, pp. 45-56.
National Society of Genetic Counselors. (n.d.). Genetic Counsellors: Personalized Care For Your Genetic Health. Retrieved from About Genetic Counselors: aboutgeneticcounselors.com/
New England Public Health Genetics Education Collaborative. (2007). Understanding Genetics: A New York, Mid-Atlantic Guide for Patients and Health Professionals. NERGG Incorporated.