Related Experiment Videos
Evolution of the nursing role in genetics
1Bureau of Maternal and Child Health, Rockville, MD 20857.
Summary
Nurses have long played a key role in genetic counseling, evolving from serving the developmentally disabled to addressing broader populations. Core responsibilities in genetic services remain consistent, adapting to new scientific information.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Genetics
- Genetic Counseling
Background:
- The nursing role in genetic counseling originated in multidisciplinary teams for the developmentally disabled.
- Early articulation of the role's characteristics and educational needs occurred in the 1960s.
Purpose of the Study:
- To trace the historical development and evolution of the nursing role in genetic counseling.
- To highlight the enduring core functions and adaptability of nurses in genetic services.
Main Methods:
- Historical review of nursing literature and practice in genetic counseling.
- Analysis of the core components and evolving applications of the nursing role.
Main Results:
- The fundamental aspects of nursing in genetic counseling, including case finding, family support, pedigree construction, and information provision, have remained consistent.
- The application of nursing genetic counseling has expanded due to advances like prenatal diagnosis and risk identification for common disorders.
Conclusions:
- The nursing role in genetic counseling is foundational and adaptable, consistently evolving with scientific advancements.
- Nurses remain integral to delivering genetic information and support across diverse populations and conditions.