The growing use of genomics in patient care means that clinical genetics services can struggle to keep up with demand.
New models of care are needed to bring genomics into other relevant medical specialties – and genetic counsellors have a vital role to play.
A new study in BMC Health Services Research looked at genetic counsellors working within teams of non-genetic medical specialists, and whether a Community of Practice (CoP) could assist them.
The study interviewed 14 genetic counsellors working across a range of projects funded by the Melbourne Genomics Health Alliance. Some genetic counsellors were embedded within specialist neuropsychiatry or cardiology clinics, while others worked within multidisciplinary teams or provided advice to patients and clinicians through phone hotlines.
These ways of working took genetic counsellors out of their established roles within specialist genetics clinics: requiring them to build relationships with other clinicians; support these clinicians to use genomic testing with their patients; navigate new healthcare settings; and identify barriers to good genomic care.
Lead author Dr Trang Do says: “We wanted to see how a Community of Practice might support healthcare professionals who are working in new environments.
“Genetic counsellors told us that the CoP helped them share knowledge about good practices and innovations. It became a space where they could collectively identify and solve problems, or determine issues for escalation.
“But most importantly, it was a place they could get emotional support when times were stressful or uncertain.”
Genetic counsellors are essential to the wider use of genomics in healthcare. Communities of practice can help them to be effective change agents.
Read the full study in BMC Health Services Research.