Journal of Medical Systems

, 41:21 | Cite as

Telegenetics: an Update on Availability and Use of Telemedicine in Clinical Genetics Service

  • Irena Vrečar
  • Dimitar Hristovski
  • Borut Peterlin
Patient Facing Systems
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:
Part of the following topical collections:
  1. Emerging Technologies for Connected Health

Abstract

Although telegenetics as a telehealth tool for online genetic counseling was primarily initiated to improve access to genetics care in remote areas, the increasing demand for genetic services with personalized genomic medicine, shortage of clinical geneticists, and the expertise of established genetic centers make telegenetics an attractive alternative to traditional in-person genetic counseling. We review the scope of current telegenetics practice, user experience of patients and clinicians, quality of care in comparison to traditional counseling, and the advantages and disadvantages of information and communication technology in telegenetics. We found that live videoconference consultations are generally well accepted by both clients and clinicians, and these have been successfully used in several genetic counseling settings in practice. Future use of telegenetics could increase patients’ access to specialized care and help in meeting the increasing demand for genetic services.

Keywords

Telegenetics Genetic counseling Clinical genetics Telemedicine E-genetics 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2016

Authors and Affiliations

  • Irena Vrečar
    • 1
  • Dimitar Hristovski
    • 2
  • Borut Peterlin
    • 1
  1. 1.Clinical Institute of Medical GeneticsUniversity Medical Centre LjubljanaLjubljanaSlovenia
  2. 2.Institute for Biostatistics and Medical InformaticsFaculty of MedicineLjubljanaSlovenia

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