Genetic Counselors’ Attitudes towards Telegenetics: The Good, The Bad, The In-Between

Given that the global coronavirus pandemic has necessitated a quick and vast transition to telehealth, the purpose of this study is to explore these changes in the field of genetic counseling. To examine the perceived effectiveness of telegenetics from the perspective of genetic counselors, I conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with two genetic counselors in which each participant was asked six questions. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then analyzed using standard thematic analysis techniques for qualitative data analysis. The analysis revealed two main themes: benefits and drawbacks of telegenetics, with two sub-themes under each. The major benefits are increased patient accessibility and work productivity, while the main drawbacks are limited control over the environment during the encounter and challenges to the provider-patient relationship. Findings were mixed, however, regarding whether telegenetics compromises the provider-patient relationship and so further research is needed in order to establish the if there is a negative correlation between telegenetics and the ability to connect with patients. The results of this study suggest that telehealth is viewed favorably among genetic counselors, although this study also identifies several areas for further improvement that are necessary to address, especially given that the widespread use of telegenetics is likely to continue long after COVID-19 has been contained