Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42813441›Full record

ArticleMolecular genetics & genomic medicine2026

The Paradox of Progress: Genetic Counselling in a South African Context and the Challenges of Workforce Retention.

Samantha Schnell, Katryn Fourie, Elzette Gilfillan, Bianca Rossouw, Barry Shingwenyana, Jamey Thom, Monica Araujo

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Molecular genetics & genomic medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Samantha SchnellDivision of Human Genetics, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2014-1252
Katryn FourieDivision of Human Genetics, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4393-3436
Elzette GilfillanDivision of Human Genetics, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1995-036X
Bianca RossouwDivision of Human Genetics, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0600-155X
Barry ShingwenyanaDivision of Human Genetics, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Jamey ThomDivision of Human Genetics, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8175-0644
Monica AraujoDivision of Human Genetics, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand and the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0942-8472

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This invited commentary explores the paradox of progress in genetic counselling in South Africa, where established training programmes and professional recognition have not yet translated into sustainable clinical genetic services. Drawing on workforce data and insights into training, employment and service delivery, the authors highlight how limited funded public-sector posts, geographic concentration of services and loss of professionals from patient-facing roles constrain equitable access to genetic counselling. The commentary aims to support coordinated workforce planning and investment to ensure that the expansion of genomic medicine is accompanied by accessible, sustainable and equitable genetic counselling services.

Indexed as

Genetic CounselingHumansSouth AfricaWorkforce

Identifiers

PMID42813441
PMCPMC13625038

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
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Registered trials

None linked

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.