Clinical Genetics, Community Genetics and Public Health (Unit 3)

General Information

Aims

The first aim of this Unit is to improve the quality of genetic counselling services associated with genetic testing across Europe, and establish recommendations and minimal criteria for genetic counselling in connection with different testing situations. Also, the unit aims to encourage and harmonize the practice of informed consent in connection with genetic testing. It will also give recommendations for training which is needed for different categories of health care personnel involved in genetic counselling, and develop this, in collaboration with Unit 6, through European networking.

The second aim of the Unit is to define clinical validity and utility of genetic testing by investigating access to and uptake of genetic services across European countries and evaluating their impact on public health policies and economics. Given limited resources, criteria and mechanisms to maximise the output of genetic services will be investigated in order to present recommendations and guidelines for clinical validation of genetic testing previously endorsed with national and European societies of medical specialties as well as health care agencies.

Guidelines for genetic counselling

As patients' understanding of the results and consequences of the test is an integral part of genetic testing, EuroGentest also aims at improving the quality of genetic counselling services associated with genetic testing, across Europe. One of the goals is to establish recommendations for genetic counselling in connection with different testing situations.