Clinical geneticists

deal with the assessment, testing and diagnosis of inherited conditions. Examples of

genetic disorders

are

cystic fibrosis

and

sickle cell anaemia.

Genetic testing

is also used to determine the risk of a predisposition for a disorder either in pre pregnancy or during pregnancy. Disorders and cancer in the patient’s familial medical history is one of the main reasons for referral to a geneticist.

Genetic counselling

is usually accompanied with seeing a genetic specialist to assist patients and their families during assessment and after diagnosis. Certain diagnoses can influence a patient’s decision making around future pregnancies. Post diagnosis a management plan of the disorder and its consequences is created and advised to the patient’s primary healthcare professional. Further referrals are often made to specialists of the diagnosed disorder.