What is genetic counselling?

Genetic counselling is a medical counselling service for anyone who is wondering whether they themselves or their children could have a hereditary disease. If this possibility exists, genetic counselling aims to help people understand and correctly assess its significance. Alternative decisions and genetic testing options are discussed. A decision in favour of genetic counselling and a decision for or against further genetic testing is always made by the patients themselves and is not actively pursued by the medical counsellor.

Who is the genetic counselling service aimed at?

To couples and individuals if
someone is affected by a hereditary disease themselves or in their family or if such a disease is suspected
artificial insemination is planned due to involuntary childlessness
more than one unexplained miscarriage has occurred or sterility is present sterility is present
there is a family relationship
familial cancer is known
explanation of genetic test results is requested
in particular questions about predictive or prenatal genetic tests arise
there is a rare, previously unexplained clinical picture.
Who carries out genetic counselling and what is the role of the counsellor?
Genetic counselling is carried out by specialists in human genetics. It is the task of the counsellor to provide information about the probability of disease and about possible genetic tests. The counselling is intended to help the patient make an independent decision that is appropriate to his or her life situation.

How does genetic counselling work?

The person seeking advice or the doctor providing treatment contacts us in writing or by telephone. As a rule, a questionnaire is first sent to the person seeking counselling to explain the issue and enable us to contact the doctors who have treated them to date. If the medical reports on the illnesses in question are available from the colleagues who have treated the patient to date, a consultation appointment will be arranged with the person seeking advice. If there is a pregnancy, an appointment will be made immediately.
It is desirable that both partners attend the counselling session. The counselling session usually lasts one hour. A family tree is drawn up, information is provided on the genetic basis of the disease and an assessment of the individual risk of recurrence is made. If indicated, genetic tests are offered. If necessary, prenatal examinations or contacts to specialists providing follow-up treatment are arranged.

Who pays for genetic counselling?

Genetic counselling is paid for by the health insurance company. Patients with health insurance require a referral voucher.