Study Highlights Gaps in Knowledge Among Prenatal Genetic Counsellors

A new study, “Evolving approaches to prenatal genetic counselling for Spinal Muscular Atrophy in the new treatment era”, has been published in the Journal of Genetic Counselling. Their results found that many prenatal genetic counsellors are unfamiliar with important concepts related to  SMA and its treatment. A genetic counsellor is a specialist who can help patients understand complicated genetic information and what that information means for their health and family planning. As such, researchers are calling for improved communication to counsellors to help parents understand the condition and the idea of newborn screening so that they can better prepare for the future.