Clinical genetics
Clinical genetics looks at the role of genetic information in our health. You may have questions like:
- Do I have a genetic condition?
- Does my health concern have a genetic cause?
- What can genetic testing tell me about my health?
- What type of medical care should I be getting because of my genetics? What about my family?
Tremendous advances have been made in clinical genetics over the past decades, and we are better able to answer these types of questions than ever before. But genetic information is complex and there is still much to learn.
Clinical genetics healthcare teams
The Clinical and Metabolic Genetics program focuses on patients with existing health concerns that have (or may have) a genetic cause, and on patients who have a high chance of having a genetic condition.
To help answer your health and genetics questions, a team of doctors (called medical geneticists), genetic counsellors, nurses, dietitians, genetic assistants, and other healthcare providers will collect and review your medical and family history. You may have a physical exam, a genetic test, or other medical tests.
There are different specialty areas within clinical genetics. These include:
- metabolic genetics
- prenatal genetics
- pediatric genetics
- hereditary cancer
- cardiovascular genetics
- ophthalmogenetics (also called ocular genetics)
- neurogenetics
- general genetics
Learn more about these specialties and genetics services in Alberta.
Learning about a genetic condition
Learning about a genetic condition that affects you, your child, or a family member can be very hard. Gathering information and learning about a genetic condition can help you:
- decide about genetic testing
- adjust to a genetic diagnosis
- find support for you and your family
- plan the health care that you, your child, or family member may need now or later in life
Referrals to the Clinical and Metabolic Genetics program
Your doctor or nurse practitioner can refer you to the Clinical and Metabolic Genetics program. These clinics have experts in genetic diagnosis and genetic counselling who support eligible patients and their families.
Patients with existing health concerns that have (or may have) a genetic cause, or patients who have a high chance of having a genetic condition are eligible. Your doctor or nurse practitioner can help determine if you are eligible for a referral. Not all referrals to the Clinical and Metabolic Genetics program are accepted.
When you are referred to the Clinical and Metabolic Genetics program, you may be asked to provide information about the health history of your family members. Learn more about
sharing your family history with the program. If you have a family member who has had genetic testing, it is helpful to include a copy of their genetic test result with your referral.
Talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about what information you should include with your referral.
Not everyone meets the criteria for a referral to genetics. If you want to know if you meet the criteria, talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner.
