• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.89-99
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• 2011

Over the years Korean health care system has improved in delivery of quality care to the general population for many areas of the health problems. The system is now being recognized in the world as the most cost effective one. It is covered by the uniform national health insurance policy for which most people in Korea are mandatory policy holders. Genetic counseling service, however, which is well recognized as an integral part of clinical genetics service deals with diagnosis and management of genetic condition as well as genetic information presentation and family support, is yet to be delivered in comprehensive way for the patients and families in need. Two major obstacles in providing genetic counseling service in korean health care system are identified; One is the lack of recognition for the need for genetic counseling service as necessary service by the national health insurance. Genetic counseling consumes a significant time in delivery and the current very low-fee schedule for physician service makes it very difficult to provide meaningful service. Second is the critical shortage of qualified professionals in the field of medical genetics and genetic counseling who can provide the service of genetic counseling in clinical setting. However, recognition and understanding of the fact that the scope and role of genetic counseling is expanding in post genomic era of personalized medicine for delivery of quality health care, will lead to the efforts to overcome obstacles in providing genetic counseling service in korean health care system. Only concerted efforts from health care policy makers of government on clinical genetics service and genetic counseling for establishing adequate reimbursement coverage and professional communities for developing educational program and certification process for professional genetic counselors, are necessary for the delivery of much needed clinical genetic counseling service in Korea.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.524-535
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• 2011

유전 위험 사정과 상담서비스가 임상실무에 널리 적용되어 감에 따라, 다양한 비용효율 면에서 다양한 상담서비스 모델을 사정하고, 대상자의 임상 요구와 건강문제를 해결하는데 어떤 모델이 유용한 지 확인할 필요가 있다. 본 연구의 목적은 114건의 현장 관찰과 문헌고찰을 통하여 3가지 유전상담 모형을 분석하였다. 유전의학 전문가 모델, 유전상담사 모델, 임상연구전문가 모델을 중심으로 각 모델의 구조, 전문가의 역할 및 기능, 목표, 물리적 세팅, 교육도구 등을 분석하였다. 각 모형 안에서 환자에게 기대되는 결과 면에서 질적 서비스가 보장되는지 확인하기 위하여 이론적 분석을 실시하였다. 본 연구를 통하여 각 모형의 상담 전, 중, 후 환자 만족, 지식 변화, 상담 효과 및 커뮤니케이션 효과 등을 분석하였지만, 결론적으로 상담서비스가 이루어지고 있는 기관의 구조를 충분히 고려하지 않은 상태에서 최상의 서비스 모델을 제시하기 어려울 것임을 논의하였다.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.167-178
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• 2007

Purpose : The necessity of professional non-MD genetic counselor has been recently emphasized in a medical field. By conducting a national survey on the demands for generic counseling and professional non-MD generic counselor, we can make a long-term master plan to execute the educational program for professional genetic counselors and indeed promote genetic counseling in Korean health care service in a systemic manner. Methods : The survey has been conducted from September 3rd to October 4th of 2007 in a way of e-mail, telephone interview, fax, and direct contacts. It's targets were senior researchers and professors in medical and non-medical institutions, policy makers, research institutions or foundations. The survey questions consist of 16 questionnaires. Results : As a result of survey, 102 of 650 people responded. 80% of respondents indicated that genetic counseling is needed as a health care service and 34% among them considered it as "the most needed". In addition, 77% of the respondents showed that, it is necessary to have a professional non-MD genetic counselor with a master degree or higher in the field of medical genetics and among them 29% thought it as "the most necessary". A 77% of respondents considered that the cost of genetic counseling should be covered by health insurance and among them, 29% answered "strongly agreed". A 56% of respondents chose the answer of "They have a plan to hire the professional non-MD genetic counselor" in their institution, and among them 71% selected "within 5 years" in terms of when to hire. Also, they tend to expect the role of the professional non-MD genetic counselor to be not only "genetic counselor" (60%), but also "researcher" (42%), "educator" (18%) and "clinical laboratory coordinator" (19%). Conclusion : The 102 of 650 people responded to the survey. Based upon the nationwide survey over the needs on genetic counseling in health care service and demands on the professional non-MD genetic counselor, systematic educational program for the genetic counseling, with reimbursement coverage for counseling service by health insurance should be emphasized in development of a master plan.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.38-55
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was undertaken to provide the framework for development of a genetic counseling training program, and an accreditation and certification process suitable for non-M.D. genetic counselors in Korea. Materials and Methods: Global standards of genetic counseling curriculums, training program accreditation (TPA), and the certification process for genetic counselors (CPGC) in the U.S.A and Japan were reviewed, and a questionnaire survey was performed to elicit opinions among health-care providers including physicians, nurses, technicians, researchers, and educators. In addition, input from professional communities, including the Korean Society of Medical Genetics (KSMG) and Institute for Genetic Testing Evaluation, was sought in formulating the framework of this study. Results: Comparison of U.S.A. and Japan educational systems showed similarities in curriculum, accreditation, and certification programs. Analysis of 117 respondents opinions showed a high level of agreement in the area of global standards; 88% indicated that KSMG should be in charge of TPA and CPGC, while 77% favored a certification exam composed of both written exam and interview components. Conclusion: Based upon this study we propose that the KSMG should be in charge of providing the TPA and CPGC for non-MD genetic counselors. Requirements for the entrance to a Master's degree genetic counseling program should be open to successful four year undergraduate students in all areas, provided the candidates demonstrate the abilities to master the graduate level of study in human genetics, clinical genetics, statistics, psychology, and other required subjects. Eligibility for certification should include qualified candidates of genetic counseling with no formally approved education, but a sufficient amount of clinical experience, in addition to accredited program graduates. Certification examinations should be carried out every two years and the certification should be good for five years, as is the case in Japan.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2010

Purpose: Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), also known as embryo screening, is a pre-pregnancy technique used to identify genetic defects in embryos created through in vitro fertilization. PGD is considered a means of prenatal diagnosis of genetic abnormalities. PGD is used when one or both genetic parents has a known genetic abnormality; testing is performed on an embryo to determine if it also carries the genetic abnormality. The main advantage of PGD is the avoidance of selective pregnancy termination as it imparts a high likelihood that the baby will be free of the disease under consideration. The application of PGD to genetic practices, reproductive medicine, and genetic counseling is becoming the key component of fertility practice because of the need to develop a custom PGD design for each couple. Materials and Methods: In this study, a survey on the contents of genetic counseling in PGD was carried out via direct contact or e-mail with the patients and specialists who had experienced PGD during the three months from February to April 2010. Results: A total of 91 persons including 60 patients, 49 of whom had a chromosomal disorder and 11 of whom had a single gene disorder, and 31 PGD specialists responded to the survey. Analysis of the survey results revealed that all respondents were well aware of the importance of genetic counseling in all steps of PGD including planning, operation, and follow-up. The patient group responded that the possibility of unexpected results (51.7%), genetic risk assessment and recurrence risk (46.7%), the reproduction options (46.7%), the procedure and limitation of PGD (43.3%) and the information of PGD technology (35.0%) should be included as a genetic counseling information. In detail, 51.7% of patients wanted to be counseled for the possibility of unexpected results and the recurrence risk, while 46.7% wanted to know their reproduction options (46.7%). Approximately 96.7% of specialists replied that a non-M.D. genetic counselor is necessary for effective and systematic genetic counseling in PGD because it is difficult for physicians to offer satisfying information to patients due to lack of counseling time and specific knowledge of the disorders. Conclusions: The information from the survey provides important insight into the overall present situation of genetic counseling for PGD in Korea. The survey results demonstrated that there is a general awareness that genetic counseling is essential for PGD, suggesting that appropriate genetic counseling may play a important role in the success of PGD. The establishment of genetic counseling guidelines for PGD may contribute to better planning and management strategies for PGD.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.6-14
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• 2007

• 가정의 벗
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• v.34 no.10 s.398
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• pp.26-26
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• 2001

• The Korean Nurse
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• v.17 no.4 s.96
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• pp.50-54
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• 1978

• The Korean Nurse
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.21-24
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.13-24
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