How Docs Without Genetics Training Can Help Patients

Sun Jul 20 2025
Doctors who aren't genetics experts might soon play a bigger role in genetic testing. Why? Because there's a huge need for these tests, but not enough geneticists to go around. This is making healthcare systems struggle to keep up. The idea is to train other doctors to handle some of these tests. This could make things faster and easier for patients. But it's not just about speed. It's also about making sure everyone gets the care they need. Some people might worry about non-geneticists making mistakes. But with the right training, they could do a pretty good job. Plus, this could free up geneticists to focus on the trickiest cases. Of course, this isn't a perfect solution. It will take time and effort to train doctors. And there will always be cases that need a genetics expert. But it's a step towards making genetic testing more accessible. In the end, it's all about giving patients the best care possible. And if that means more doctors stepping up, then that's what should happen.
https://localnews.ai/article/how-docs-without-genetics-training-can-help-patients-1a998a2a

questions

    How does the involvement of non-geneticist physicians in genetic testing impact the overall quality of patient care?
    If a non-geneticist physician orders a genetic test, will they be able to tell the difference between a dominant and a recessive gene or will they just guess?
    What are the potential risks of misdiagnosis or misinterpretation when non-geneticist physicians order and interpret genetic tests?

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