Adapting genetic counseling operations amidst the COVID‐19 pandemic

Mauer, Caitlin; Zimmerman, John; Lahiri, Sayoni; Watson, Elise; Parsi, Lily; Berg, Jordan; Pirzadeh‐Miller, Sara

The COVID‐19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to the delivery of genetic counseling services and clinical operations. Understanding how these pivots in practice affected patient care across both a county hospital system and academic medical center can help provide models of clinical operations for other genetic counselors. Programmatic data were analyzed between March 18, 2020 and September 18, 2020, including visit completion rates and genetic testing completion outcomes for genetic counseling services during the COVID‐19 pandemic. In addition to analyzing the effects on patient care, we provide commentary on technological adaptations that aided our operations, billing practices, onboarding and engaging new and existing staff, and coordination of education and outreach opportunities. Through this work, we highlight barriers encountered and successful adaptations that will influence future clinical practices and may guide other providers in the development of strategies to meet their clinical and operational needs.