DESCRIPTION

Many companies are offering DTC genetic testing to health consumers without the requirement of initial healthcare involvement, but sometimes, the results of the testing can be unclear or confusing. Many consumers are turning to third party companies and/or genetic counselors for further interpretation of their results and to understand their risks. Additionally there is a wide variety of DTC products on the market including testing related to ancestry, diet, lifestyle, disease risk, etc. As many of the tests may have a genetic component, it is important for genetic counselors to learn about this type of testing. There have been many educational offerings focused on what DTC genetic testing is and how companies are pursuing this avenue of testing with consumers. This course will provide a deeper dive on DTC by focusing on the varying DTC products, challenges faced in interpretation of results, and help to provide genetic counselors with tools on how to counsel patients on DTC results. 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Examine the various types of DTC testing available and the varying technologies utilized.
• Examine how results are reported in DTC testing.
• Illustrate challenges in results interpretation, from both the third party annotation service and clinical sides.
• Examine complex DTC case examples and the lessons learned from these complex cases.
• Evaluate unique genetic counseling service delivery models that are being developed to meet the needs of patient referrals due to DTC genetic testing.