Tag: mental-health

The role of the Genetic Counsellor in the multidisciplinary team: the perception of geneticists in Europe(2022)

Genetics has begun to be considered a key medical discipline which can have an impact on everyday clinical practice. Therefore, it is necessary to understand what the most effective way is of caring for people affected by or at risk of genetic disorders.

This new profession has difficulties in being recognised in some countries(including Ireland), it seems clear that these highly competent professionals are essential for in-patient care and in the multidisciplinary team.

In the United Kingdom clinical geneticists are medically qualified Members/Fellows of the Royal College Physicians or equivalent, where Clinical Genetics is an affiliated medical specialty. Genomic or genetic counsellors are allied health professionals with Masters level accreditation from the Genetic Counsellor Registration Board included in the Academy for Healthcare Science register and clinical scientists (genomic counselling specialty) accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41431-022-01214-7/figures/1

This research(although limited) brought to light the importance of the multidisciplinary team in caring for patients with or at risk of genetic disorders by highlighting the role and necessity of the genetic counsellor within the team. 

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41431-022-01189-5?fromPaywallRec=false

Individual Health Identifier (IHI)

Did you know….

The Health Identifiers Act 2014 was enacted by the government to allow two new national data collections–called the National Register of Individual Health Identifiers and the National Register of Health Service Provider Identifiers to be created and operated.

An Individual Health Identifier (IHI) has the following benefits for you:

Improved accuracy in identifying you and your medical records will
lead to safer and better care being provided to you.
Improved accuracy in identifying and associating your records in
different healthcare organisations.
Your health information can be shared safely and seamlessly
between health service providers, for example on referral letters
sent from a private GP to a public hospital.
The use of an Individual Health identifier also enables the
electronic transfer of your health information, which results in faster
care for you.

Medical or clinical information will NEVER be stored on your IHI record. Health
service providers may however use your IHI, to uniquely identify you, when
communicating with other health service providers about your care for example
when a medical consultant is corresponding with your GP or visa versa.

Click to access questions-regarding-the-individual-health-identifier-ihi-number.pdf