Genetics

About the Medical Genetics Clinic

The Medical Genetics Clinic, established in 1941, is the oldest genetics clinic in the country. The University of Michigan genetics faculty are known nationally and internationally for their work and are committed to providing quality healthcare, conducting research and teaching the next generation of clinicians and researchers. The Medical Genetics Clinic at the University of Michigan sees individuals with a personal and/or family history of a genetic condition(s). Patients may be referred to our clinic by their primary care physician, by a specialist or may initiate their own appointment.

Our clinic specializes in diagnosing genetic conditions, providing care, assessing risks and implications for you and your family members, determining testing options and coordinating genetic testing, identifying supportive resources and providing genetic counseling. Individuals are seen in the Medical Genetics Clinic for many different genetic conditions. Some individuals have a genetic condition and want to be followed by a physician who is familiar with their genetic condition. Other individuals have a family history of a genetic condition and want to be evaluated and have their risks assessed. Some individuals are seen for preconception genetic counseling prior to starting a family.

There are over 5000 genetic conditions and with research advances, we are learning more about the genetic basis of different conditions. We have included in the “About Genetic Conditions” section web links to some of the more common genetic conditions seen in our clinic.

What Happens During Your Visit?

• Review of your family and medical history information
• Risk assessment
• Physical examination, if indicated
• Explanation of genetic condition(s) and patterns of inheritance
• Discussion of management, treatment, surveillance and testing options
• DNA testing, chromosome analysis or other genetic testing, if indicated
• Provision of information about support groups and other helpful resources
• Consultation with other specialists as needed
• Follow-up care

Generally, if you are being seen in our clinic for the first time, your appointment will last 1 - 1 1/2 hours. You will be seen by a geneticist (doctor who has specialized training in genetics) and our genetic counselor (master's level health care professional with specialized training in genetics and counseling) may see you as well. As the University of Michigan is a teaching hospital, we may also have genetic counseling and medical students with us in clinic.

Geneticists and genetic counselors are board certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG) or the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC). To prepare for your visit, we review the family and medical information that you have provided us and construct a pedigree (drawing of your family history information). We review the medical literature, use genetic databases and frequently consult with colleagues across the country.

This preparatory work can take several hours and is critical to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information. A physical examination will be performed depending on the indication for the clinic visit and type of genetic condition. Most of the clinic visit is spent providing you with information about the genetic condition in understandable terms, discussing your care and linking you with appropriate referrals and resources, including local and national support groups. A letter will be sent to you and your physician summarizing the information that was discussed during your visit.

What is Genetic Counseling?

Genetic counseling is a communication process that translates medical information into understandable terms and addresses the implications of this information for the individual and their family. The goals of genetic counseling are to help individuals and their families:

• understand the genetic condition and how it is inherited
• provide comprehensive information so that informed health-care and life decisions can be made
• address the personal and family issues related to the genetic condition