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Who is using telegenetics in the United States: A national survey
One strategy that has been proposed to expand access is to use telehealth applications. In order to determine who is currently using telegenetics and how they are using it, the NCC Telegenetics Work Group developed and implemented a national survey of genetic service providers.
Methodology: A survey was developed by the NCC Telegenetics Work Group. The survey was tested within each Regional Genetics Collaborative and revised until a final survey was approved by the work group. The final survey was administered on-line using Survey Monkey. The survey was advertised through listservs of clinical geneticists, genetic counselors and metabolic geneticists.
Results: There were 233 respondents to the survey with 35.3% (82) reporting that they use telegenetics in their practice. The majority of telegenetics users are genetic counselors. Most respondents use dedicated videoconferencing equipment for video consultations. Not surprisingly, the most common type of visits are for out-patient evaluation and management and prenatal patients.
Discussion: Information about telegenetics providers and their practices across the United States will be presented. Next steps to expand telegenetics also will be discussed.
Learning Areas:
Provision of health care to the publicLearning Objectives:
Describe how telegenetics is used to provide genetic services in the United States.
Discuss how to increase access to genetic services for underserved populations using telegenetics.
Keyword(s): Telehealth, Genetics
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As project director of the Western States Genetic Services Collaborative for the past 9 years, we have been developing telegenetics as a strategy to increase access to genetic services for underserved populations. Now as chair of the National Coordinating Center for the Regional Genetics Collaboratives Telegenetics Work Group, we are expanding our work in telegenetics across the country.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.