A comprehensive approach to users from a Brazilian clinical genetics service: an observational study

This study aimed to describe different aspects of access to health care in a population attended by a clinical genetics service.

This is a cross-sectional, descriptive, prospective, and exploratory study that included individuals followed for 10 consecutive months. Data were collected through standardized interviews and medical record review. The interviews addressed socioeconomic factors, access to medical genetics consultation and diagnostic investigations, health literacy, and social integration.

Of 200 participants, 18.5% reported difficulty accessing the geneticist. In 50.5% of the patients, the mean age at referral was 8.41 years, with a predominance of multiple congenital anomalies (43%) and neurodevelopmental disorders (32.5%) as justification for referral for consultation. A total of 50.5% of participants stated they did not understand the cause of their condition, and 57.5% were aware of possible comorbidities. In total, 74.7% attend regular educational institutions, and 48.7% need a tutor; for 32.4% of these, this demand has been open for 32.47 months (median = 12; SD = 33.95). A total of 37.4% of individuals aged 16 and over participate in the job market.

This study highlights the restrictions on access to health care and the social integration of individuals treated at a Clinical Genetics service in the Brazilian population, as well as the difficulties faced by their caregivers. Although these are regional data, it is possible to recognize universal similarities in the panorama presented. Thus, the results can contribute to reflections on the reality faced by this population group and the design of public policies.