Abstract
The genetic counsellor profession has not yet been established in the German-speaking countries. In 2019 the Medical University of Innsbruck inaugurated the first German-taught Master's degree programme in Genetic and Genomic Counselling. In order to discuss prospects and challenges of the genetic counsellor profession in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH region), the MSc programme team organized a two-day workshop with international speakers and medical geneticists from the DACH region. Day 1 was dedicated to the history, training and international profile of the genetic counsellor profession. Day 2 focused on four specific topics: (i) professional role, (ii) acceptance and job title, (iii) formal requirements and (iv) remuneration concepts for genetic counsellors in the DACH region. The workshop showed that the key factor for the successful implementation of the genetic counsellor profession is acceptance and trust within the medical genetics team. Genetic counsellors complement patient care in aspects that might be underserved considering the increasing demand of counselling in genomic medicine. Successful establishment of the genetic counsellor profession will entail the development of interprofessional teams under medical supervision and in the team of medical geneticists.
Highlights
The enormous growth of genetic knowledge, rapid methodological advances and the fast-increasing implementation of genetic tests in medical care have sparked a surging demand for genetic information and counselling
Day 2 was attended by 32 active participants from the DACH region and the UK, of whom 17 were medical geneticists, 3 genetic counsellor (GC), 7 genetic counselling students and 5 from other related professions
In the UK early GC roles developed from nursing and research, when individuals took on long-term relationships with families affected by genetic conditions to provide a continuing care setting
Summary
The enormous growth of genetic knowledge, rapid methodological advances and the fast-increasing implementation of genetic tests in medical care have sparked a surging demand for genetic information and counselling. The programme team of the Innsbruck MSc course held an open workshop engaging medical geneticists from the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) and international experts in the field of genetic counselling. Day 1 was dedicated to the history, training and international profile of the GC profession It was accessed by an audience of about 50 participants including professionals and students from Austria, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States (28 from the DACH region, of which approximately half were medical geneticists). Day 2 was attended by 32 active participants from the DACH region and the UK, of whom 17 were medical geneticists, 3 GCs, 7 genetic counselling students and 5 from other related professions
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