Expanding Genetic Counselor Roles: A Model for Global Research Development

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Genetic Counseling
• Scholarly Publishing

Background:

• Genetic counselors (GCs) are integral to advancing genomic medicine.
• Their contributions to research and scholarly activities are crucial for professional development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the scholarly contributions of a cohort of GCs.
• To understand the evolving role of GCs in scientific literature.
• To facilitate global professional development for GCs through research.

Main Methods:

• Cataloged publications from GCs in a specific Section (2014-2024).
• Utilized "My Bibliography" and REDCap database for data collection.
• Collected publication data including year, journal, impact factor, and author position.

Main Results:

• Identified 992 unique publications from 1986 to 2024.
• Annual publications increased significantly after 2013, with consistent GC participation.
• Average journal impact factors exceeded 5.0, with diversifying research areas since 2015.

Conclusions:

• GCs demonstrably contribute to scholarly work, evidenced by publication volume.
• An academic home for GCs correlates with increased scholarly output.
• Supporting GC scholarly activities is vital for expanding their roles in precision genomic medicine.