A case for genetics education: collaborating with speech-language pathologists and audiologists.

Because speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists (AUDs) are among the first referrals for parents of children exhibiting feeding, speech, language, hearing, and balance difficulties, it is important for SLP and AUD professionals to recognize genetic causes of and contributions to complex and Mendelian communication disorders. We review genetics in the curricula of speech-language pathology and audiology programs and obstacles to its integration throughout curricula. We present suggestions about how SLPs and AUDs can aid in diagnosis and contribute their clinical expertise in characterizing phenotypes, followed with a review of a new genetics-education website developed by the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics (NCHPEG), the University of Cincinnati, and the National Society of Genetic Counselors. The need to integrate genetics content into curricula and continuing education across disciplines is clear, as is the need for and benefit of multidisciplinary collaboration in patient care. The NCHPEG site for speech-language pathology and audiology begins to address those needs and may serve as a practical model for future multidisciplinary collaborations between genetics professionals and other health professions.

Providers' knowledge of genetics: A survey of 5915 individuals and families with genetic conditions.

PURPOSE: Individuals affected by genetic conditions are increasingly likely to seek information about inheritance and risk factors from their primary care physicians rather than a geneticist, but several studies suggest that few health care providers are capable of fulfilling that role or are comfortable doing so. Acknowledging that the adoption of new genetics knowledge and technologies is often patient-driven, we asked affected individuals and family members about their experiences in encounters with a variety of nongenetics-trained health care providers. METHODS: Staff at the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics, the Genetic Alliance, and a University of Maryland graduate student in genetic counseling drafted a web-based survey. We recruited study participants from the Genetic Alliance, and a total of 5915 respondents completed the questionnaire between December 2004 and August 2005. RESULTS: Overall, 64% of respondents reported receiving no genetics education materials from the provider type named most important in the management of the condition in the family. We present knowledge ratings for various provider types and themes emerging from written descriptions of positive and disappointing experiences. CONCLUSION: We discuss the implications of these and other results for continuing genetics education and for clinical practice.