Arnott C, Ward Aj, Lambert Dm, Butterly D, McGrath V, Lynch Sa, O 'Byrne Jj
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: National and international reports recommend that genetic counselling should be made available to parents of children living with inherited rare diseases; and to patients themselves upon turning 16-18 years old. Long wait times of up to two years for genetic counselling through Children's Health Ireland contributed to a lack of accessibility for adult patients with inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs). At the time of the study, the National Centre for Inherited Metabolic Disorders (NCIMD) Mater, which takes care of ~ 1400 adult patients with genetic disorders primarily affecting biochemical pathways, did not have direct access to a genetic counsellor.
Objectives and methods: An online survey was conducted to investigate the genetic testing and counselling experiences of adult patients with rare IMDs and their families within the Republic of Ireland.
Results: The NCIMD-Mater survey highlighted a lack of patient knowledge of and access to genetic counselling services; with some patients unaware of and others incorrectly understanding the role of genetic counselling. Most patients who underwent genetic testing were tested by a non-genetic healthcare professional. Satisfaction levels of genetic counselling services were mixed with some patients reporting delaying personal life and family plans due to wait times for genetic counselling.
Conclusion: This study highlights deficiencies in the genetic testing and counselling experience of Irish IMD patients. Embedding genetic counselling into multidisciplinary IMD teams would increase access to genetics education for patients and families and improve the clinical service. This study may be utilized to measure the impact of integrating genetic counsellors into NCIMD-Mater.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of Community Genetics is an international forum for research in the ever-expanding field of community genetics, the art and science of applying medical genetics to human communities for the benefit of their individuals.
Community genetics comprises all activities which identify persons at increased genetic risk and has an interest in assessing this risk, in order to enable those at risk to make informed decisions. Community genetics services thus encompass such activities as genetic screening, registration of genetic conditions in the population, routine preconceptional and prenatal genetic consultations, public education on genetic issues, and public debate on related ethical issues.
The Journal of Community Genetics has a multidisciplinary scope. It covers medical genetics, epidemiology, genetics in primary care, public health aspects of genetics, and ethical, legal, social and economic issues. Its intention is to serve as a forum for community genetics worldwide, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries.
The journal features original research papers, reviews, short communications, program reports, news, and correspondence. Program reports describe illustrative projects in the field of community genetics, e.g., design and progress of an educational program or the protocol and achievement of a gene bank. Case reports describing individual patients are not accepted.
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