Genetic Counseling

The Genetic Counseling course is designed to provide healthcare providers, genetic counselors, and clinical staff with the knowledge and skills to effectively communicate genetic information to patients, support informed decision-making, and ensure optimal patient care. This course begins with the fundamentals of genetic counseling, including the purpose of counseling, which is to help patients understand their genetic risk, the meaning of test results, and the potential impact on their health or their child’s health. Participants will learn about the differences between pre-test counseling, which prepares patients for what the test can and cannot reveal, and post-test counseling, which interprets the results and guides next steps.

The course emphasizes patient-centered communication, teaching learners how to explain complex genetic concepts in clear, empathetic language. This includes how to describe what genes are, the difference between euploidy and aneuploidy, inheritance patterns, and the likelihood of conditions based on test results. Learners will also explore strategies for explaining screening versus diagnostic testing, the significance of variants of uncertain significance (VUS), and how mosaicism or partial results may affect interpretation.

Modules cover the process of counseling for Natera’s products, such as Horizon carrier screening, Panorama noninvasive prenatal testing, Spectrum preimplantation genetic testing, and other specialty tests. For each test, learners will understand how to discuss the purpose of testing, potential outcomes, limitations, and next steps, including when follow-up diagnostic testing or additional family testing may be necessary. Case studies will show real-world examples of counseling sessions, such as explaining high-risk NIPT results, discussing carrier status with prospective parents, and navigating sensitive conversations about reproductive decisions.

The course also addresses ethical, legal, and psychosocial considerations, including informed consent, confidentiality, patient autonomy, and how to approach emotionally charged situations with sensitivity. Participants will learn how to document counseling sessions, provide written educational materials, and collaborate with other healthcare providers, including obstetricians, reproductive endocrinologists, and laboratory staff, to ensure continuity of care.

Interactive elements include role-playing exercises, decision-making scenarios, and patient simulations to practice counseling techniques. Learners will also review strategies for engaging patients in education, including linking to online resources, videos, and microlearning modules to reinforce understanding. Special focus is given to helping patients interpret results and decide on next steps, distinguishing between findings that require immediate action versus those that are informational, and preparing patients for potential outcomes of follow-up testing.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to provide thorough, empathetic, and accurate genetic counseling. They will be equipped to educate patients about genetic risk, interpret and communicate test results, guide informed decision-making, and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams. This ensures that patients feel supported, informed, and empowered to make decisions regarding reproductive health, prenatal testing, and genetic risk management.