2013 Review and Update of the Genetic Counseling Practice Based Competencies by a Task Force of the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling

The first practice based competencies (PBCs) for the field of genetic counseling were adopted by the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC), 1996. Since that time, there has been significant growth in established and new work settings (clinical and non‐clinical) and changes in service delivery models and the roles of genetic counselors. These changes prompted the ABGC to appoint a PBC Task Force in 2011 to review the PBCs with respect to their current relevance and to revise and update them as necessary. There are four domains in the revised PBCs: (I) Genetics Expertise and Analysis (II) Interpersonal, Psychosocial and Counseling Skills (III) Education and (IV) Professional Development and Practice. There are 22 competencies, each clarified with learning objectives or samples of activities and skills; a glossary is included. New competencies were added that address genomics, genetic testing and genetic counselors’ roles in risk assessment, education, supervision, conducting research and presenting research options to patients. With PBCs serving as the pre‐defined abilities or outcomes of training, graduating genetic counselors will be well prepared to enter the field with a minimum level of skills and abilities. A description of the Task Force’s work, key changes and the 2013 PBCs are presented herein.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/147172/1/jgc40868.pd

Fraud in Genetic Testing: Swindling the System

Healthcare fraud comprises a sizable portion of the United States healthcare expenditure and inflicts strain on payors, patients, and the healthcare system overall. The genetic testing industry is rapidly growing which provides a multitude of fraud opportunities. There is limited research exploring genetic testing fraud, although federal organizations have highlighted it as an issue. In this study, a retrospective review of federal websites, news articles, and a legal database identified 42 cases of fraud involving outpatient genetic testing published between February 2019 and December 2023. These cases were analyzed for themes via inductive conventional content analysis. Themes of fraudulent activity included submission of fraudulent claims, kickback or bribe payments, minimal or no contact with patients for which testing was ordered, inappropriate billing and documentation practices, and further actions to conceal fraud. High rates of medically unnecessary testing highlight the value of genetics experts such as genetic counselors in ordering or reviewing claims for genetic testing. Repercussions imposed on defendants included monetary penalty, imprisonment, business restrictions, and seizure of property. Examining fraudulent activity in genetic testing can help providers identify and report fraud, and provide awareness of fraud, waste, abuse and optimal healthcare allocation in the genetic testing industry

Invisible Disabilities, Academic Capital and Competitiveness of Genetic Counseling Applicants

The field of genetic counseling has historically lacked diversity. Recent research has begun to explore how visible diversity may present barriers to a genetic counseling applicant becoming competitive, but has not yet characterized potential barriers with invisible diversities, such as being a first-generation college student, or a part of the LBGTQ+ community. Therefore, this study aimed to address this gap among those with invisible diversities, as well as explore their academic capital (AC), a theoretical framework used to identify factors that make students more likely to succeed in post-secondary work including supportive networks, trustworthy information, family uplift, college knowledge, overcoming barriers, concerns about cost, familial expectations, and navigation of systems. Genetic counseling applicants for the 2021 and 2022 admissions match cycles were recruited via a multipronged, snowball method and surveyed via Qualtrics (IRB# HSC-MS-21-0477). Responses were analyzed using IBM SPSS [statistical software Version: 28.0.0.0]. Results indicated that individuals who are LGBTQ+ had significantly lower overall AC scores by 6.322 points (p\u3c0.001), particularly in the subcategories of navigation of systems (1.520, p=0.029), supportive networks (1.138, p=0.004), and trustworthy information (0.941, p=0.015). Applicants who identified as being from an NIH disadvantaged background were more likely to have concerns about cost (p\u3c0.001), and lower scores for college knowledge (1.578, p\u3c0.001). Individuals who identify as having a low socioeconomic status had greater concerns about cost (2.485, p=0.013). Lower AC subcategory scores were found for first-generation college students for college knowledge (2.539, p\u3c0.001), and for applicants who spoke English as a second language for supportive networks (1.296, p=0.015) and for college knowledge (1.907, p \u3c0.001). The results show concerns about cost of the application process were prevalent across groups, and that applicants with mentors had significantly higher AC scores (p=0.042). Therefore, the field should implement interventions to assist applicants with invisible diversity to address mentorship, trustworthy information, and costs