Reflections on Genetic Counseling Practices in India and the United States
Author Information
Author(s): Niharika Jadeja, Nivedita Rajakumar, Neeraja Reddy, Nadia Ali, Lauren Lichten
Primary Institution: Emory University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
How do genetic counseling practices differ between India and the United States?
Conclusion
The study highlights significant differences in genetic counseling practices between India and the United States, influenced by cultural, legal, and systemic factors.
Supporting Evidence
- The author emphasizes the importance of cultural humility in genetic counseling.
- Genetic testing strategies differ significantly due to healthcare system variations.
- Patients in India often face financial barriers to genetic testing.
- Variants of uncertain significance (VUS) are more prevalent among non-White populations.
- Public health screening initiatives vary greatly between the two countries.
Takeaway
This study shows that genetic counseling is done differently in India and the U.S. because of cultural and healthcare system differences, which affects how patients receive care.
Methodology
The author reflects on personal experiences during genetic counseling rotations in India and the U.S., comparing practices and challenges faced in both countries.
Potential Biases
The author's experiences may be influenced by the specific settings and institutions where the rotations took place.
Limitations
The observations are based on a limited rotation experience and may not represent the entire genetic counseling landscape in either country.
Participant Demographics
The author is a genetic counseling student from the United States with rotations in private labs in India.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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