From Niche to Necessary: Genetic Counselor-Led Pharmacogenomics Across the Care Continuum

This webinar examines how genetic counselors are implementing pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing and counseling across healthcare settings. Over 95% of the population carries clinically significant pharmacogene variants, yet implementation lags behind other genetic testing due to limited workforce training, provider literacy gaps, and high clinical decision support costs. The presenters showcased three primary PGx service delivery models: academic medicine programs (Brigham & Women's Hospital telemedicine clinic and M Health Fairview's Go4PGx Initiative), private practice collaborations between genetic counselors and pharmacists, and laboratory-based models such as Color Health's integration with cancer clinics and research partnerships. Future challenges include managing increasingly complex sequencing-based and polygenic score PGx results while capitalizing on opportunities from long-read genomics and rapid sequencing technologies. Training programs and continuing education must expand to meet growing clinical integration of PGx and establish counselor competency as a hiring differentiator.

Presented by: 

NSGC Precision Medicine SIG
1. Hannah Llorin, MS, CGC
2. Elizabeth Fieg, MS, CGC
3. Hetanshi Naik, PhD, MS, CGC
4. Jen Eichmeyer, MS, CGC
5. Jeri Nichols, MS, PharmD, CGC, CSP
6. Carla McGruder, MS, CGC
7. Rissa Hall, MS, CGC

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the clinical relevance and utility of pharmacogenomics (PGx)
2. Identify barriers to PGx implementation in genetic counseling practice and recognize emerging opportunities to advance the field
3. Compare genetic counselor roles and responsibilities across academic, private practice, and laboratory-based PGx models

Genetic Counselor CEUs: 

The National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) has authorized the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) to offer up to .1 CEUs or 1 Category 1 contact hour for the activity, From Niche to Necessary: Genetic Counselor-Led Pharmacogenomics Across the Care Continuum. The American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) will accept CEUs earned by participating in this program for the purposes of genetic counselor recertification.

Successful Completion: 

1. View recording
2. Pass quiz
3. Complete evaluation