The 2023 medical genetics workforce in the United States

To characterize the 2023 medical genetics and genomics workforce in the United States-comprising clinical geneticists, genetic counselors, genetic nurses, genetic physician assistants, laboratory geneticists, and metabolic dietitians-to inform genetics workforce efforts.

National genetics membership or board-certification organizations distributed an electronic survey to medical genetics professionals in early 2023. Questions were derived from prior workforce surveys and by a workgroup led by the National Coordinating Center for the Regional Genetics Networks.

Of the 3070 medical genetics professionals who responded, 66.0% were genetic counselors, 15.4% were clinical geneticists, 12.2% were laboratory geneticists, 4.7% were metabolic dietitians, and 1.7% were genetic nurses or physician assistants. The respondents identified as White (76.1%) and women (84.7%); there were statistically significant differences between disciplines. Forty percent worked in academic centers; 55.3% worked 41+ hours per week. Nearly 11% of respondents provided services in a language other than English. Despite 34.7% of respondents experiencing some burnout, most had no plans to leave the field (94.4%) within the next year.

The medical genetics community needs to advance workforce initiatives to support current personnel and attract new and diverse individuals to the field to serve patients and their families.