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ForwardWMJ Vol 119: Does Supply Equal Demand? The Workforce of Direct Patient Care Genetic Counselors in Wisconsin
ABSTRACT
Background: Recent studies documented a shortage of direct patient care (DPC) genetic counselors in the United States. We aimed to survey genetic counselor members of the Wisconsin Genetic Counselors Association (WIGCA) to determine if the supply and demand was met within the state and where access to services can improve.
Methods: An email invitation was sent to all genetic counselor members of the WIGCA with a link to a confidential online survey. Survey questions addressed the workforce composition, elements that impact services, and professional satisfaction of practicing genetic counselors.
Results: The Wisconsin workforce currently has half of the projected need for full-time DPC genetic counselors. One-third of genetic counselors reported changing from direct to non-direct patient care positions. In-person services are concentrated within Milwaukee and Madison. Appointment wait times are decreased when patients meet with a genetic counselor only, and half of the genetic counselors reported moderate to high stress levels.
Discussion/Conclusion: A shortage of DPC genetic counselors in Wisconsin is confirmed due to the total full-time effort in direct patient care. Data provided here can be used to identify targets for increasing the number of DPC genetic counselors, maximizing time spent on patient care, and improving access.
Intended Audience
The target audience for this journal-based activity is healthcare providers caring for the people and communities of Wisconsin and beyond.
Learning Objectives
As a result of this journal-based activity, the learner will be able to:
- Define composition of the genetic counseling workforce in Wisconsin within the healthcare team
- Predict the projected need of direct patient care (DPC) genetic counselors within the state of Wisconsin
- Identify targets for increasing the number of DPC genetic counselors, maximizing time spent on patient care and improving access to patients across the state
FACULTY DISCLOSURE
It is the policy of the University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP that the faculty, authors, planners, and other persons who may influence content of this CE activity disclose all relevant financial relationships with commercial interests* in order to allow CE staff to identify and resolve any potential conflicts of interest. Faculty must also disclose any planned discussions of unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices during the educational activity. For this educational activity all conflicts of interests have been resolved and detailed disclosures are listed below:
| Name of Individual | Individual's Role in Activity | Name of Commercial Interest & | Discussion of |
| Terese Bailey, BS | Accreditation Specialist | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
| Thomas H. Chelius, MS | Author | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
| Kenneth Crabb, MD | Reviewer | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
| Carlee Dawson, BA | Author | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
| Sean Duffy, MD | Reviewer | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
| David Dwyer, PhD, RN, NE-BC | Reviewer | University of Wisconsin-Madison (Employment); Eskenazi Health (Spouse/Partner: Employment); Mayo Clinic (Spouse/Partner: Employment); Indiana University (Spouse/Partner: Grant) | No |
| Jennifer L. Geurts, MS | Author | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
| Sarah Linn, BS | Author | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
| Roberta Pawlak, PhD, RN, NEA-BC | Reviewer | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
| Catherine Reiser, MS | Author | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
| Sarina Schrager, MD, MS | Editor | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
| Kate Stuewe, MS | Author | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
| Erin Syverson, MS | Author | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
| Sara Zoran, MS | Author | No Relevant Financial Relationships to Disclose | No |
* The ACCME defines a commercial interest as any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients. The ACCME does not consider providers of clinical service directly to patients to be commercial interests.
Accreditation
Accreditation Statement
 | In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by the University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP and the Wisconsin Medical Journal. The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team. |
Credit Designation Statements
American Medical Association (AMA)
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this journal-based CE activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP designates this journal-based CE activity for a maximum of 1.0 ANCC contact hour.
Iowa Board of Nursing accepts ANCC contact hours for nursing continuing education requirements.
Continuing Education Units
The University of Wisconsin–Madison ICEP, as a member of the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), authorizes this program for 0.1 continuing education units (CEUs) or 1 hour.
Available Credit
- 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 1.00 ANCC Contact Hours
- 1.00 University of Wisconsin–Madison Continuing Education Hours
- 1.00 Approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
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