Telegenetics – Telemedicine in Genetics

We have been following the trials and developments of the application of telemedicine in Genetics, which has produced some positive results. Telemedicine uses technology to bridge the geographical gaps between the clinician and the patient. Rather that a clinician having to travel to different areas to run clinics, or patients travelling to see the clinician, telecommunications can be used to connect the patient and clinician instead.

The opportunities for telemedicine have grown with more and more of the general population having access to video calling facilitates. The specific application of telemedicine in Genetics is also referred to as ‘telegenetics’. While some people might have an image in their heads of patients making Skype calls to a Genetics Consultant or Genetic Counsellor from the comfort of their own home, many of the trials have been more of a hybrid. Patients travel to their local healthcare provider, who provide the video conferencing facilities and host the virtual consultation. This provides the benefits of improving accessibility for all patients (not just those with access to teleconferencing facilities), authenticating the patient’s identity and allowing on site medical personnel, who may not be trained in Genetics, to be able to assist by taking any necessary measurements.

A number of telegenetics trials have been run around the world. More recent trials have been conducted using telegenetics for genetic counselling follow up appointments. While the cost savings are being debated, there appears to be a consensus that patient satisfaction with telegenetics is high. There are further studies planned to investigate the effectiveness of telegenetics in diagnostics and patient outcomes. We are looking forward to discussing telegenetics with our customers and other healthcare professionals to explore how TrakGene can further support these trials and applications of telemedicine.