ArticleJournal of genetic counseling2025
The evolving role of genetic counselors in South Africa: A decade of growth.
Article in Journal of genetic counseling, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Social stigma, genetic services, and South Africa: is testing taboo?Journal of community genetics · 2026Review
- The experiences of non-direct patient care genetic counselors in South Africa-A qualitative study.Journal of genetic counseling · 2026Article
- The evolving role of genetic counselors in South Africa: A decade of growth.Journal of genetic counseling · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
Genetic counseling has evolved from focusing solely on congenital anomaly prevention to incorporating psychological counseling. Traditionally, its goal has been to enhance patient care by providing clinical information and facilitating psychological adjustment. However, with the rise of genomics and complex testing technologies, genetic counselors now engage in education, research, clinical practice, and laboratory roles. A previous study from 2013 described the role of genetic counselors in South Africa. This current study provides an updated perspective on these findings and how these roles have diversified. Registered independent genetic counselors were invited via email to complete an electronic survey adapted from the previous study conducted in 2013. The survey collected data on information pertaining to (1) demographics, (2) genetic counseling experience and employment, and (3) work/clinical practice. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Of 44 contacted genetic counselors, 29 responded. Most were female (97%), under 40 years old (60%), and had practiced for less than 10 years (59%). Although many genetic counselors took on multiple responsibilitiessuch as clinical, administrative, research, and teaching-the proportion primarily working in clinical roles declined from 75% (12/16) in 2013 to 45% (10/22) in 2023. Notably, genetic counselors involved in teaching and training had significantly fewer years in practice (p = 0.0396; CI 95%), suggesting a loss of expertise in academic centers. A new trend observed since 2013 is laboratory-based responsibilities, with 68% of participants reporting duties in this area. The role of genetic counselors in South Africa has expanded substantially over the past decade, with a shift away from predominantly clinical roles. These findings highlight the need for adaptation of training programs and strategic workforce planning to retain expertise in academic centers and ensure the continued growth of the profession.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.