Nov. 14 is Genetic Counselor Awareness Day. Genetic counseling is an important and growing field with rapid advances in personalized medicine. Here’s what you should know about genetic counseling and how genetic counselors can support providers and patients.
What do genetic counselors do?
Genetic counselors have graduate training in both medical genetics and counseling. They work with patients who want to understand how inherited diseases and conditions might affect them or their families. Counselors may analyze personal and family history, order genetic testing if appropriate, and connect patients with support resources.
Where do genetic counselors work at UW Medicine?
In addition to our adult Genetic Medicine Clinic, which sees over 2,000 patients a year, UW Medicine has genetic counselors working in many fields, from the Maternal Fetal Medicine Clinic to the Center for Interstitial Lung Disease to the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology. Genetic counselors from the Genetic Medicine Clinic have also worked with other specialties to help them incorporate genetic testing into their practice.
When can providers refer a patient for genetic counseling?
Individuals diagnosed with a condition at an unusually early age, especially if there is also a family history, might benefit from a genetic evaluation. Ideally, a genetic evaluation is conducted directly with the individual who has the condition or concern, but if that is not possible, a genetic counselor can talk with an unaffected relative.
Interested in hearing directly from our genetic counselors?
If you are interested in having a genetic counselor talk with your clinic providers or trainees, please contact Lauren Puryear, clinical assistant professor, Division of Medical Genetics, at Lpuryear@uw.edu. To refer, visit the patient referral page and scroll down for specific information about genetics.
