Report
Note: Workshop Summaries contain the opinion of the presenters, but do NOT reflect the conclusions of the IOM. Learn more about the differences between Workshop Summaries and Consensus Reports.
New discoveries in genomics - that is, the study of the entire human genome - are changing how we diagnose and treat diseases. Whereas previously, genetic testing could only screen for rare genetic disorders, increasingly, patients and their physicians are able to use genetic information to predict the risk of common diseases such as diabetes and breast cancer and to help determine prevention and treatment options. Genetic specialists have long been the main providers of genetic services, offering intensive counseling for rare genetic disorders. However, as the trend shifts from genetic testing largely being undertaken for rare genetic disorders to, increasingly, individuals being screened for common diseases, general practitioners, pediatricians, obstetricians/gynecologists, and other providers need to be knowledgeable about and comfortable using genetic information to improve their patients' health.
The Roundtable on Translating Genomic-Based Research for Health held the public workshop "Innovations in Service Delivery in the Age of Genomics" on July 27, 2008. The workshop set out to examine the current system of genetic service delivery, learn about some pioneering current practice models, and propose new models for integrating genetic and genomic innovations into education, training, and clinical practice. Participants discussed the strengths and challenges of the current system and considered a vision for the future of genetic and genomic services, which may not be so distant after all.
Other Reports by this Activity
Displaying: 2 of 2 Reports
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Systems for Research and Evaluation for Translating Genome-Based Discoveries for Health. Workshop Summary
The correlation between genetic variations and variations in disease risk has been a subject of study for more than 100 years. Initially, research focused on single genes that give rise to rare genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis or Huntington’s disease. With new studies, however, numerous associations have been found between genes and more common diseases, for example breast cancer, type II diabetes, coronary artery disease, asthma, and bipolar disorder. This rapidly advancing field of genomics has stirred great interest in “personalized” health care. The hope is that using genomic information in care will lead to reduced health care costs and improved health results, as preventive measures and treatments are tailored to patients’ genetic susceptibilities. On February 12, 2009, the Institute of Medicine’s Roundtable on Translating Genomic-Based Research for Health hosted a workshop to examine how to evaluate the clinical use of genomic information and the impact of genetic information in caring for patients.
Released: November 11, 2009
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Diffusion and Use of Genomic Innovations in Health and Medicine. Workshop Summary
The Institute of Medicine’s Roundtable on Translating Genomic-Based Research for Health, established in 2007, held its first workshop to address the following questions: (1) Are there different pathways by which new scientific findings move from the research setting into health care? (2) If so, what are the implications of those different pathways for genomics? (3) What can we learn from the translation of other new technologies as we seek to understand the translation of genome science into health care?
Released: June 19, 2008
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