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Freiman A, Rekab A, Bergner AL, Pereira EM, Lin Y, Ahimaz P. Exploring the evolving roles of clinical geneticists and genetic counselors in the era of genomic medicine. Am J Med Genet A 2024; 194:e63502. [PMID: 38102777 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The increased utilization of clinical genomic sequencing in the past decade has ushered in the era of genomic medicine, requiring genetics providers to acquire new skills and adapt their practices. The change in workplace responsibilities of clinical/medical geneticists (CMGs) and genetic counselors (GCs) in North America, due to the evolution of genetic testing, has not been studied. We surveyed CMGs (n = 80) and GCs (n = 127) with experience in general/pediatric genetics to describe their current practice of clinical tasks and the change in regularity of performing these tasks over the past 5-10 years. Currently, complementarity of responsibilities between CMGs and GCs clearly exists but providers who have been in the field for longer have noted role changes. Trends indicate that fewer experienced CMGs perform physical exams and select genetic tests than before and fewer experienced GCs complete requisitions and write result letters. The frequency of CMGs and GCs who investigate genetic test results, however, has increased. This study provides insight into the changing landscape of clinical genetics practice. Our findings suggest that the roles and responsibilities of CMGs and GCs have shifted in the past decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Freiman
- Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Rare Disease Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Aisha Rekab
- Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Clinical Genetics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Amanda L Bergner
- Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Neurology, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Elaine M Pereira
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Clinical Genetics, Columbia University, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York Presbyterian, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yuhuan Lin
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Priyanka Ahimaz
- Genetic Counseling Graduate Program, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Clinical Genetics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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Khanolkar A, Spiczka A, Bonfield TL, Alexander TS, Schmitz JL, Boras D, Fong K, Nandiwada SL, Miller GC, Tebo AE. Diplomate in Medical Laboratory Immunology Certification Examination: A New Chapter for Medical Laboratory Immunology. Immunohorizons 2023; 7:600-610. [PMID: 37639224 PMCID: PMC10587505 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2300030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
It is indeed a privilege to be an immunologist in what is arguably the golden age of immunology. From astounding advances in fundamental knowledge to groundbreaking immunotherapeutic offerings, immunology has carved out an enviable niche for itself in basic science and clinical medicine. The need and the vital importance of appropriate education, training, and certification in clinical immunology was recognized by the World Health Organization as far back as 1972. In the United States, Ph.D. scientists with board certification in medical laboratory immunology have served as directors of high-complexity Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments- and College of American Pathologists-certified clinical immunology laboratories since 1977. From 1977 to 2017, board certification for medical laboratory immunology was administered by the American Society for Microbiology through the American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology examination. The American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology examination was phased out in 2017, and in the fall of 2019, the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) examination committee took on the responsibility of developing a new doctoral-level certification examination for medical laboratory immunology. This transition to the ASCP BOC represents a well-deserved and much-needed recognition of the rapid advances in and the highly specialized nature of medical laboratory immunology and its ever-increasing relevance to patient care. This new ASCP BOC certification is called the Diplomate in Medical Laboratory Immunology, and, as of April 1, 2023, it is now available to potential examinees. In this report, we describe the examination, eligibility routes, and potential career pathways for successful diplomates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaruni Khanolkar
- Department of Pathology, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL
- Department of Pathology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Amy Spiczka
- American Society for Clinical Pathology, Chicago, IL
| | - Tracey L. Bonfield
- Department of Genomics and Genome Sciences & Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | | | - John L. Schmitz
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Diana Boras
- American Society for Clinical Pathology, Chicago, IL
| | - Karen Fong
- American Society for Clinical Pathology, Chicago, IL
| | - Sarada L. Nandiwada
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Allergy & Immunology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | | | - Anne E. Tebo
- Division of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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