Horizon

The Horizon course is designed to equip healthcare providers with in-depth knowledge of Natera’s carrier screening offering, how to order it, interpret results, and use it in patient conversations, especially in preconception or in early pregnancy settings. Carrier screening is the process of identifying whether one or both members of a prospective or expectant couple carry pathogenic variants associated with hereditary conditions that could be passed on to their children. Horizon uses next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology to screen for up to 274 genetic conditions, including common panel conditions (cystic fibrosis, spinal muscular atrophy, hemoglobinopathies, fragile X syndrome) as well as many extended and rarer conditions. Natera+1

In this course, you’ll start with the background science: genetic inheritance (autosomal recessive, X-linked), variant types, allele frequencies, penetrance, and expressivity; how next-generation sequencing differs from older methods; what constitutes a “carrier” vs “affected”; how the concept of “silent carriers” (for example in SMN1 gene for SMA) impacts risk calculations; and how population diversity matters for variant detection. Natera+1

Then the use cases: when Horizon is appropriate — ideally preconception but also during pregnancy — for couples who want to understand reproductive risk, for family history of genetic disease (or even without one), for those with certain ethnic backgrounds with elevated risk, and for informing decision-making whether via prenatal diagnostic testing, IVF/PGT, donor conception, or just better planning. Natera

Next, the product details: what panels are available (standard, extended), how many genes or conditions each includes; what sample types are accepted; turnaround times; how results are reported (joint reports, individual reports), how reporting handles “carrier couples” (when both partners are carriers), how silent carrier detection works (e.g. SMN1 copy number + SNP to detect carriers who have two SMN1 copies but both on one chromosome) to refine risk. Connected Culture Expo+1

Then the ordering process: eligibility criteria; how to order; pre-test requirements (genetic counseling, informed consent, sample collection), cost transparency; discussing patient expectations; what limitations to inform about (false negatives, conditions not covered, residual risk). This includes how to interpret the results: distinguishing findings that are clinically actionable vs incidental or extraneous; how to quantify risk (carrier frequency, residual risk) and what to say when you get positive, negative, or uncertain findings. Natera+1

Also, there will be modules on communication with patients: how to explain what Horizon does and does not test for; how to explain risk in understandable terms; how to manage anxiety or uncertainty; when to recommend follow up testing or referrals; when no immediate action is needed and how to reassure; how to involve partners; how to use joint reports; how to counsel couples who are both carriers; and ethical, social, and psychological implications.

A section will be dedicated to interpretation in diverse populations: how variant detection can vary by ancestry, how silent carriers may be more or less common depending on population, how to account for these when counseling and interpreting results.

You’ll also get case studies and real-world examples: examples of carrier couples, how Horizon changed decision-making for pregnancy or family planning, how clinics used Horizon panels to identify risk early, how misinterpretation can lead to unnecessary worry or missed opportunity.

The learning materials will include video lectures, micro-learning modules, downloadable resources (e.g. Horizon conditions list, joint report templates, patient handouts), FAQs, interactive quizzes or scenarios, and access to virtual assistance tools (NEVA - Natera’s Educational Virtual Assistant) for on-demand support. Natera+1

In addition, this course will also address how Horizon fits into the broader Natera portfolio: when Horizon is preferred over or complementary to other tests (e.g. Panorama for prenatal screening, or tests in women’s health or organ health), how combining tests may work, how clinical workflows can be optimized (ordering, sample collection, reporting, follow up).

Finally, there’ll be guidance on practice implementation and engagement: how to engage providers to adopt Horizon screening (sales or clinical teams, email campaigns, provider education), how to link from your website or clinical portal to Horizon educational/training content, how to incorporate training swimlanes (Get Started → Genetics Basics → Horizon module → Ordering & Interpretation → Patient Conversation → Ongoing Learning), and ensuring feedback loops (surveys with providers, follow up on positive reports).

By the end of this Horizon course, participants will be able to confidently decide when to recommend carrier screening using Horizon, order the appropriate panel, understand and interpret the results with nuance, distinguish which findings require patient counseling or follow-up versus which are lower risk, communicate effectively with couples, and integrate carrier screening into routine reproductive care in their practice, thereby enabling more informed decision making and potentially reducing incidence of serious genetic conditions.