The rise of genomics is transforming healthcare, enabling quicker diagnoses and tailored treatments for rare and complex diseases. However, as the demand for genetic testing grows, it’s crucial to involve non-geneticist clinicians in delivering genomic medicine. These healthcare professionals, known as non-geneticist champions, play a vital role in connecting specialized genetics services with general medical practice, making genomics more accessible to patients.
The Challenges of Mainstreaming Genomic Medicine
Structural Mismatch Between Clinics: Specialized genetics clinics are often structured to handle complex, rare conditions, requiring longer appointment times, detailed counseling, and additional administrative support. In contrast, other clinical settings, such as pediatrics or general medicine, are not designed to accommodate the intricate processes associated with genomic testing. For example, coordinating tests for multiple family members or offering genetic counseling often falls outside the scope of standard workflows.
Limited Skills and Confidence Among Non-Geneticists: Many clinicians outside the field of genetics lack the expertise or confidence to navigate the nuances of genomic medicine. This skill gap becomes more pronounced as one moves further from academic or tertiary centers where genetics services are traditionally housed. The result is a disconnect between non-geneticist clinicians and genetics specialists.
Resource and Funding Constraints: Mainstreaming genomic medicine requires additional resources, including training programs, administrative support, and infrastructure. Without targeted funding and policy support, these gaps remain unaddressed, stalling the integration of genomic services into broader healthcare systems.
Non-Geneticist Champions: A Solution to Transform Genomic Medicine
Non-geneticist champions are healthcare professionals who serve as advocates and educators for genomic medicine within their specialties. By leveraging their expertise and networks, they help address the challenges outlined above.
Bridging Structural Gaps: Champions act as liaisons between genetics services and other clinical settings, helping to align workflows and priorities. For example, they can guide non-genetics clinics in adapting their practices to accommodate genomic testing, such as integrating family history assessments or offering genetic counseling.
Providing Education and Support: Champions play a crucial role in upskilling their colleagues through experiential and iterative learning. They demystify genomic medicine by breaking it into practical, actionable steps, making it accessible to non-specialist clinicians. Over time, this builds confidence and competency among healthcare providers, enabling them to integrate genomic testing into their routine care.
Advocating for Genomics at the Decision-Making Table: As trusted members of their specialties, champions can advocate for genomic medicine at institutional and policy levels. Their presence ensures that genomic considerations are included in funding decisions, program designs, and clinical guidelines, helping to embed genomics into the broader healthcare landscape.
Building Collaborative Networks: By fostering relationships between genetics services and non-geneticist clinicians, champions create a collaborative ecosystem that benefits patients. These networks facilitate knowledge sharing, streamline workflows, and ensure that genomic medicine is seamlessly integrated into patient care pathways.
Encouraging Resource Allocation: Champions can make a strong case for targeted funding to support genomic services. By demonstrating the value of expanded access—such as earlier diagnoses and reduced healthcare costs—they help secure resources for training, infrastructure, and other implementation efforts.
Benefits for the General Population
The involvement of non-geneticist champions in genomic medicine has far-reaching implications for public health.
Enhanced Patient Outcomes: Mainstreaming genomic medicine enables timely interventions for a wide range of conditions, from rare genetic disorders to cancers. Patients benefit from personalized care plans informed by their genetic profiles, improving outcomes and quality of life.
Cost-Effective Healthcare: Genomic medicine has the potential to reduce healthcare costs by preventing unnecessary tests, hospitalizations, and treatments. Non-geneticist champions help realize these savings by promoting the efficient use of genomic resources in routine clinical practice.
Equity in Healthcare: Historically, access to genomic medicine has been limited to patients in specialized settings or those with the means to pursue private testing. Champions work to democratize access, ensuring that genomic services reach underserved populations in community and rural settings.
Building a Future Powered by Genomic Champions
The success of mainstreaming genomic medicine depends on intentionally identifying, supporting, and empowering non-geneticist champions. At every level—clinical services, institutions, and policy-making bodies—efforts must be made to:
Recruit champions with a passion for genomics and a commitment to expanding access and spreading awareness.
Provide resources, such as funding, training, and administrative support, to enable champions to succeed in their roles.
Create systems that recognize and reward the contributions of champions, encouraging their continued involvement.
Institutions like hospitals and national organizations also have a role to play in upskilling non-geneticist clinicians. Programs for cross-training, credentialing, and establishing minimum competencies in genomic medicine can further accelerate the adoption of genomic testing across specialties.
References:
Mackley, M.P., Weisz, E., Hayeems, R.Z. et al. Non-geneticist champions are essential to the mainstreaming of genomic medicine. Eur J Hum Genet (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41431-024-01780-y
-Written by Sohni Tagore
Comments