Adapting Genetic Counseling Operations Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Overview

Journal J Genet Couns

Publisher Wiley

Specialty Genetics

Date 2021 Jul 19

PMID 34279060

Citations 5

Authors

Caitlin Mauer

John Zimmerman

Sayoni Lahiri

Elise Watson

Lily Parsi

Jordan Berg

Sara Pirzadeh-Miller

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to the delivery of genetic counseling services and clinical operations. Understanding how these pivots in practice affected patient care across both a county hospital system and academic medical center can help provide models of clinical operations for other genetic counselors. Programmatic data were analyzed between March 18, 2020 and September 18, 2020, including visit completion rates and genetic testing completion outcomes for genetic counseling services during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to analyzing the effects on patient care, we provide commentary on technological adaptations that aided our operations, billing practices, onboarding and engaging new and existing staff, and coordination of education and outreach opportunities. Through this work, we highlight barriers encountered and successful adaptations that will influence future clinical practices and may guide other providers in the development of strategies to meet their clinical and operational needs.

Citing Articles

Randomized control trial comparing genetic counseling service delivery models in an underserved population.

Lahiri S, Mersch J, Zimmerman J, Mauer Hall C, Moriarty K, Gemmell A J Genet Couns. 2024; 34(2):e1975.

PMID: 39370944 PMC: 11866741. DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1975.

Expanding Genetic Counselor Roles: A Model for Global Research Development.

Muraresku C, McCormick E, Rockart L, Crowley T, Asher S, Back A Genes (Basel). 2024; 15(7).

PMID: 39062646 PMC: 11276331. DOI: 10.3390/genes15070867.

Implementation of a Population-Based Cancer Family History Screening Program for Lynch Syndrome.

Lahiri S, Pirzadeh-Miller S, Moriarty K, Kubiliun N Cancer Control. 2023; 30:10732748231175011.

PMID: 37161761 PMC: 10185972. DOI: 10.1177/10732748231175011.

Germline testing and genetic counselling in prostate cancer.

Russo J, Giri V Nat Rev Urol. 2022; 19(6):331-343.

PMID: 35449224 PMC: 9022414. DOI: 10.1038/s41585-022-00580-7.

Where is genetic medicine headed? Exploring the perspectives of Canadian genetic professionals on future trends using the Delphi method.

Borle K, Kopac N, Dragojlovic N, Llorian E, Friedman J, Elliott A Eur J Hum Genet. 2022; 30(5):496-504.

PMID: 35031678 PMC: 9090755. DOI: 10.1038/s41431-021-01017-2.

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