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What happens during a genetic consultation?
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Consult

What happens during a genetic consultation?

A genetic consultation provides information, support, and guidance to help patients make informed, independent decisions about their health care and reproductive options.

Overview

A genetic consultation provides information, offers support, and addresses a patient’s specific questions and concerns. To help determine whether a condition has a genetic component, a genetics professional asks about a person’s medical history and takes a detailed family health history (a record of health information about a person's immediate and extended family). The genetics professional may also perform a physical examination and recommend appropriate medical tests.

If a person is diagnosed with a genetic condition, the genetics professional provides information about the diagnosis, how the condition is inherited, the chance of passing the condition to future generations, and the options for testing and treatment.

What a Genetics Professional Will Do

During a consultation, a genetics professional will:

  • Interpret and communicate complex medical information.
  • Help each person make informed, independent decisions about their health care and reproductive options.
  • Respect each person’s individual beliefs, traditions, and feelings.

What a Genetics Professional Will NOT Do

A genetics professional will NOT:

  • Tell a person which decision to make.
  • Coerce a couple about whether or not to have children.
  • Recommend that a woman continue or end a pregnancy.
  • Tell someone whether to undergo testing for a genetic disorder.

Frequently Asked Questions

standard initial consultation usually lasts 45‑60 minutes. The first part involves the genetics professional reviewing your family and personal medical history, followed by a physical exam if indicated. The remainder of the visit is dedicated to explaining potential inheritance patterns, discussing testing options, and answering your questions. Follow‑up appointments are often shorter (15‑30 minutes) and focus on test results or management plans.
Bring a detailed three‑generation family health history (including ages at diagnosis, cause of death, and any known genetic conditions), a list of your current medications, any previous genetic test reports, and any relevant medical records such as imaging or lab results. Having this information ready helps the genetics professional focus the discussion and decide which tests, if any, are needed.
If the clinician determines that genetic testing is appropriate, they may order a blood draw, cheek swab, or urine sample during the visit or schedule it for a nearby lab. Some tests can be performed on a sample you collect at home and mail in, but the genetics professional will explain the exact procedure and any preparation needed (e.g., fasting).
Genetic counselors and clinical geneticists are bound by HIPAA and state privacy laws. Your genetic data is stored in secure, encrypted medical records and is only shared with health‑care providers directly involved in your care unless you give written permission. The counselor will also discuss any potential implications for insurance or employment and how the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) protects you.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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