How are clinical genetics services delivered in Australia?
In Australia, the majority of genetics services are delivered through specialised clinics in public hospitals, where there is access to clinical geneticists and genetic counsellors. Because of the ever-increasing amount of information becoming available about genetics, there is a need to involve an increasingly wider range of clinical health professionals such as general practitioners, specialists and nurses. A team approach is necessary because genetic problems are not isolated to any particular individual, but invariably affect the family as a whole since DNA is shared by members of the same family.
What clinical genetic services are available in rural communities?
Outreach clinical genetic services are provided in a number of rural centres, where genetic counsellors work alongside visiting specialists from the major genetic clinics. Resource limitations and increased demand mean that new ways to give rural patients and families timely and appropriate advice and counselling are constantly being sought. The delivery of genetic services via the internet, or telemedicine (called eHealth), is being explored with this in mind.
Another issue is the provision of genetics services that take into account multicultural and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural issues as well as rural challenges.
What laboratory genetics services are available in Australia?
There is a mix of public and private laboratories providing pathology services in Australia. Most DNA work, particularly for less common genetic conditions, is undertaken through public hospitals. Compared to traditional pathology services, genetics testing provides an additional challenge since the focus on an individual patient can often broaden to include family members due to the familial nature of genetic testing information. Intensive counselling may also be required for patients and/or family members at risk.
The potential for Direct-to-Consumer (DCT) DNA testing, which allows health professionals to be bypassed, adds another challenge to laboratory genetics services in Australia (see the Direct to Consumer DNA testing page).
Australian Genetic Services and Societies
A number of genetics services and societies support those with genetic conditions and their families. View more details on the Notable genetic services and societies page.
Downloads
- Genetics services (PDF, 298KB) [GEMS]
- Support groups (PDF, 305KB) [GEMS]