Franciskato Emily, Brokamp Elly, Jasper Elizabeth, Munroe Christine, Britton Jacquelyn, Duncan Laura
Master of Genetic Counseling Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), Nashville, Tennessee, USA.
J Genet Couns. 2025 Jun;34(3):e70028. doi: 10.1002/jgc4.70028.
Pediatric genetic counseling consistently has the longest referral to appointment time among all genetic counseling specialties. Pediatric genetic counselors (GCs) are utilizing non-traditional clinic models (NTM) in their practices. This study identified the clinic models utilized by GCs and describes GCs' perceptions regarding clinic model use and implementation. Pediatric GCs were recruited via the National Society of Genetic Counselors student research email. Descriptive statistics were used to describe respondent demographics, clinic model types utilized, average monthly patient volume, and genetic counselor perceptions of their clinic model, including barriers, helpful resources, and perceived improvements with NTM implementation. Of the 78 respondents, 80.8% of pediatric GCs were working in a NTM role at least some of the time. The average monthly patient volume was higher for GCs exclusively in NTM and combination clinic roles versus GCs solely in traditional model (TM) roles. The genetic counseling-only clinic was the NTM utilized most among NTM and combination GCs. A higher proportion of GCs working with NTMs agreed they were satisfied with their job, felt supported in the clinic, were at the top of their scope, and provided better patient care than TM GCs. Barriers exist to NTM implementation, and the process was not standardized across clinics. This study provides preliminary evidence showing NTM use can increase pediatric GC patient volume while increasing job satisfaction.
在所有遗传咨询专业中，儿科遗传咨询的转诊预约时间一直是最长的。儿科遗传咨询师（GCs）在其工作中采用了非传统的诊所模式（NTM）。本研究确定了GCs所采用的诊所模式，并描述了GCs对诊所模式使用和实施的看法。通过美国遗传咨询师协会学生研究电子邮件招募儿科GCs。描述性统计用于描述受访者的人口统计学特征、所采用的诊所模式类型、平均每月患者数量，以及遗传咨询师对其诊所模式的看法，包括障碍、有用的资源，以及对NTM实施的感知改进。在78名受访者中，80.8%的儿科GCs至少在某些时候担任NTM角色。与仅担任传统模式（TM）角色的GCs相比，仅担任NTM和联合诊所角色的GCs平均每月患者数量更高。仅提供遗传咨询的诊所是NTM和联合GCs中使用最多的NTM。与TM GCs相比，更多使用NTM的GCs表示他们对工作满意，在诊所中得到支持，处于其职责范围的顶端，并提供了更好的患者护理。NTM的实施存在障碍，而且各诊所的流程并不统一。本研究提供了初步证据，表明使用NTM可以增加儿科GC的患者数量，同时提高工作满意度。
