Download What to Ask Your Genetic Counselor Information To Prepare You

What to Ask Your Genetic Counselor
Information To Prepare You For A Visit To A Genetic Counselor
What is Genetic Counseling?
Genetic counseling involves working with an
individual or family at potential risk for an
inherited condition or birth defect. It relies on
communication skills to help individuals and
families to understand how inheritance works
and what causes genetic conditions. Counseling
may be provided by specially trained
counselors, physicians or nurses.
There are four basic steps in providing genetic
counseling services:
Diagnosis
This requires taking an accurate and detailed family and medical history and
possibly conducting a physical examination and laboratory testing.
Information Counseling
Communicating information and education to the patient and family is an
important step in the process.
Supportive Counseling
Providing emotional and psychological support for families, as well as referral
to support groups concerning a specific condition, is an important role for the
genetic counselor.
Follow-up
The counseling session and the long-term medical recommendations should be
summarized in a follow-up letter to the patient.
Who Benefits from Genetic Services?

Women whose pregnancy may be at increased risk for complications or
birth defects based on age, blood tests, ultra-sound findings or family
history

Women who have had two or more miscarriages, a stillbirth or a baby
who died

Women considering pregnancy or who are pregnant and taking
prescription medication

Couples who would like prenatal testing or more information about
genetic conditions that occur more frequently in their ethnic group

Couples who are blood relatives

Parents whose child has been diagnosed with a genetic condition,
mental retardation or birth defect

Individuals who are concerned about their personal risk for disease
based on lifestyle, occupational exposures, medical history or family
history

Individuals who are concerned about their risk of developing cancer
based on personal or family history
What Should You Ask a Genetic Counselor?

What causes this condition?

What are the features of this condition?

What are the long-term effects of this condition?

What is the life expectancy of someone with this condition?

How is this condition treated?

Is there a cure for this condition?

What other health care professionals should I see?

What special care does a person with this condition require?

Will this condition improve or worsen over time?

Are there tests available to see if a person is affected with or is at risk
for this condition?

How accurate are the tests for this
condition?

Is this condition passed from one
generation to the next?

Can a person not have this condition but
still pass it on to his or her children?

Can a person get this condition from being
around others who have it?

Could my children or siblings have this
condition?

How will this diagnosis affect my
health/life insurance?

Where can I go for a second opinion?

What are the medical costs likely to be?

Is there financial assistance available for individuals with this
condition?

Are there organizations or support groups where I can talk to other
people with this condition?

When might it be appropriate to see you again?
For more information, please contact Illinois Department of Public Health 535
W. Jefferson, 2nd Floor Springfield, IL 62761 217-785-8101 TTY (hearing
impaired use only) 800-547-0466
Illinois Department of Public Health
535 West Jefferson Street
Springfield, Illinois 62761
Phone 217-782-4977
Fax 217-782-3987
TTY 800-547-0466
Questions or Comments