Genetic counselling is the process of helping people understand and adapt to the medical, psychological and familial implications of a genetic condition
Who should have genetic counselling?
Individuals
- interested in have genetic testing
- diagnosed with a genetic condition
- with family history of inherited conditions or cancer
Women
- interested in prenatal testing on their potential babies
- fetal abnormality detected during pregnancy
- exposed to potential teratogen during pregnancy
- with more than three miscarriages or history of still birth
Couples
- interested in carrier testing or newborn screening for their children
- interested in assisted reproductive technology
- consanguinity (couple are related to each other) and wish to have children
Who provides genetic counselling?
- Genetic counsellors or clinical geneticists & sometimes both at once
- Genetic counsellors are Masters level health professionals trained in clinical genetics & psychosocial counselling
- Clinical geneticists are medical doctors specialized in medical genetics that diagnose complex genetic conditions & syndromes
What happens during genetic counselling?
- A detailed family history including medical information of yourself & your family
- Education on genetic conditions, risk assessmen, genetic testing options, clinical management and cancer prevention
- Counselling to assist clients in making informed decisions
- Support families in adapting to the genetic condition & provide resources
