Genetic Counselling
Genetic Counselling
Genetic Counselling
If you're offered a genetic test, you may be referred to a genetic counsellor to help you think through what the test means for you and your family.
A genetic counsellor can help you understand:
- the risks and benefits of you having a genetic test
- the potential results of your test and what they mean
- how your family members may be affected if the test shows a serious health condition runs in your family
- the risk of you and your partner passing on a health condition to your children
- your options if you have a child with an inherited health condition and you do not want your next child to inherit it
A genetic counsellor can also direct you to relevant patient support groups.
What is the role of a Genetic Counsellor?
The role of a genetic counsellor includes analysing a patient's family history, assessing the chance of inheriting or passing on a condition, arranging genomic tests and communicating results, assisting with family communications, and managing the psychosocial impacts of genetic risk or results.
Genetic counsellors help people across a range of circumstances. For example, they may provide advice to couples who have a higher chance of passing on an inherited condition, support families where a child has been diagnosed with a condition or arrange predictive testing when someone is at high risk for disease based on their family history.
Increasingly, genetic counsellors are also working in a range of other roles. For example, as researchers, policy developers, educators of the wider healthcare workforce, or various subject experts.
In any of these settings, genetic counsellors use their skills as expert communicators and patient advocates to support the safe and effective delivery of genomic healthcare.
In the UK, there are approximately 300 genetic counsellors, the vast majority work in the NHS as part of a team alongside doctors, clinical laboratory scientists, nurses, midwives and other healthcare professionals. They also work very closely with clinical geneticists. Clinical geneticists are qualified to diagnose genetic conditions.
Last Updated: November 2024
© Copyright 2013-2024 Annabelle's Challenge. REDS4VEDS ® and ™ All rights reserved.
Registered Address: Walshaw Park House, Walshaw Road, Bury, BL8 1PY. Registered Charity No.1157074