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Genetic counselor workflow study: The times are they a-changin'?
Courtney A Attard1, Erin P Carmany2, Angela M Trepanier2
1Cancer Genetic Counseling Service, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit, Michigan.
Journal of Genetic Counseling
|January 11, 2019
Summary
Genetic counselors (GCs) spend only 20% of their time directly with patients. Streamlining patient-related activities (PRA) could increase face-to-face genetic counseling time and meet rising demand.
Area of Science:
- Medical Genetics
- Healthcare Management
- Workforce Studies
Background:
- Genetic services are crucial but historically time-intensive.
- Limited data exists on how genetic counselors (GCs) allocate their time between patient interaction and other tasks.
- Understanding time allocation is key to optimizing genetic counseling delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the proportion of time genetic counselors spend in direct patient care versus patient-related activities (PRA).
- To analyze the workflow of GCs across various specialties and clinics.
- To identify time-consuming tasks within PRA that could be optimized.
Main Methods:
- A real-time workflow study was conducted over one week using an electronic data collection tool.
- Genetic counselors (GCs) documented their activities in 15-minute increments.
- Participants included 16 GCs from diverse genetic specialties in Michigan.
Main Results:
- GCs spent approximately 20% of their time face-to-face with patients.
- A significant majority (64%) of time was dedicated to patient-related activities (PRA), including preparation and administrative tasks.
- Letter writing was identified as the most time-consuming PRA task.
Conclusions:
- GCs dedicate a substantial portion of their workday to PRA, with limited direct patient contact time.
- Strategies to reduce PRA time could enhance patient access to genetic counseling services.
- Optimizing GC workflows is essential to address the increasing demand for genetic services.
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