Virtual genomic counseling (telegenetics):

Telegenetics is “videoconferencing for clinical genetics services” and is becoming an “increasingly utilized method of delivering genetic counseling to rural areas”.[1]

Benefits of virtual genomic counseling:

Direct to consumer genetic testing (DTC GT) frequently utilizes telegenetics regardless of the client’s “geographical location or ability to attend face-to-face sessions”.[2]

Licensure as the primary barrier of virtual genomic counseling:

Licensure poses a conflict for the provision of virtual genomic counseling. Medical practitioners are typically licensed to practice in the state in which they reside. In order to practice across state borders, the practitioner must apply for licensure in that state as well. Obtaining multiple licenses is costly and time consuming for practitioners who often don’t want to deal with the hoops required to become duly licensed. Providers that do offer telemedicine or telegenetics services to out-of-state clients face “civil and criminal sanctions for practicing medicine without a license”. Due to the limitation that licensure poses, clients who require the service of medical geneticists but live in a state with no licensed practitioners are required to travel to nearby states or go without the service.

  1. ^ Zilliacus, Elvira; Meiser, Bettina; Lobb, Elizabeth; Dudding, Tracey E.; Barlow-Stewart, Kristine; Tucker, Katherine (2010-04-01). "The virtual consultation: practitioners' experiences of genetic counseling by videoconferencing in Australia". Telemedicine Journal and E-Health: The Official Journal of the American Telemedicine Association. 16 (3): 350–357. doi:10.1089/tmj.2009.0108. ISSN 1556-3669. PMID 20406122.
  2. ^ Harris, Anna; Kelly, Susan E.; Wyatt, Sally (2016-12-03). "Counseling Customers: Emerging Roles for Genetic Counselors in the Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing Market". Journal of Genetic Counseling. 22 (2): 277–288. doi:10.1007/s10897-012-9548-0. ISSN 1059-7700. PMC 3597267. PMID 23093333.