Clinical Geneticist

[Chieka]

Does anyone have any info about this profession? From what I gather, it requires an M.D., specialization in any field, then a one year fellowship with the American Board of Medical Geneticists (ABMG).

Any thoughts on which specializations are best, and which schools are most conducive to such career plans? Or does it not matter?

Thanks,

C.

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[tms]

i am familiar with the genetics department at JHU. i was screened for marfans syndrome. my doc did combined residencies in peds and neurology. he was interested in genetic neurological disorders in kids (go figure with those residencies).

although science has provided great insight into molecular biology and its impact on disease, clinical geneticists often look for morphological features and markers of a disease. there is no "drawing blood for labs". it is an interesting field, but there is a lot of gray area for subjective opinions.

 

[CTIL]

You are correct in that you can do your residency in any field, followed by a fellowship in clinical genetics. I think that pediatrics and neurology are the most popular residencies for people who want to go into genetics. The vast majority of Mendelian diseases have neurologic phenotypes so I guess it makes sense. Also, many genetic diseases result in short life, thus making the majority of patients kids. Most clinical geneticists are involved with research projects, both clinical and basic. Physical diagnosis is a big part of the job as you have to discern subtle phenotypes that distinguish different genetic diseases. However, many of the diseases you will see have molecular or cytogenetic tests that enable confirmation. Counseling families about risk is a big part of the job too.

I plan to do clinical genetics. I'm starting medical school next fall.

 

[DrLady]

I know that Albert Einstein med school has a program based on this field. You might want to check out the school's website.

 

[eschauberger]

I am a senior in Genetics and am applying like everyone else. My father, who is a physician, told me that if I was interested in doing some Genetics, that many pediatricians are pretty involved in it. I think it sounds interesting.
-=Eric

 

[doepug]

Come to Hopkins!

The father of medical genetics, Dr. Victor McKusick, still teaches here and works with med students and genetics fellows. He was the first medical geneticist and started OMIM, a huge online databank of heritable disorders. I just took a tour of the Hopkins dome with him in November - very cool. He's one of the few living medical pioneers. You should check out the website for the McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine.

Many geneticists do residencies in pediatrics, because 1) it's only 3 years, and 2) lots and lots of genetic disorders are seen only in childhood.

Genetics is fabulous if you enjoy putting puzzles together, but it can be intensely frustrating. Unfortunately, short of gene therapy, modern medicine can only successfully treat a handful of genetic defects.

Geneticists are also masters of biochemistry. They know more obscure biochemical pathways than all other fields of medicine put together. If you enjoy biochem, this might be a good field for you.

Cheers,

doepug
MS III, Johns Hopkins

 

[Teufelhunden]

The Hopkins site said the following:

"Graduate in good standing of an approved or recognized school of medicine, or osteopathy. Satisfactory completion of at least 2 years in an ACGME-approved Residency in a primary care specialty (Pediatrics, Family Practice, Internal Medicine or Obstetrics and Gynecology)."

Is this common, to only require two years of residency completed? Or do most programs require that you're BC/BE?

 

[doepug]

I found the reference you cited, and the site does discuss PGY-3 and 4 goals, etc... so perhaps it would be realistic to start the program after two years of another field. In any event, I know a current genetics fellow who completed a peds residency and a peds neuro fellowship before starting as a genetics fellow. This leads me to suspect that most (if not all) genetics fellows have completed a residency in the field of their choice prior to their training in genetics. It's also possible that applicants are just very competitive and over-qualified; after all, there aren't many clinical genetics residents roaming the halls.

I wish I could be of greater help; it's probably worth contacting the institute to be certain if you're a resident who wants to ditch a program and start a genetics fellowship early.

Cheers,
doepug

 

[CD]

You have my greatest admiration for wanting to go into this field! But are you REALLY sure you want to deal with these people? It has to be a depressing field. Seems like it would rank right up there with a pediatric oncologist. A BIG part of the job is informing PARENTS of their childs misfortune. Most of the news isn't pleasent and parents are.......well....in love with their children. Although I have a background in genetics it is entirely a different thing when it affects your child...and I would not want to be the doctor that spoke to my family a few years back.

 

[Chieka]

Originally posted by CD
You have my greatest admiration for wanting to go into this field! But are you REALLY sure you want to deal with these people? It has to be a depressing field. Seems like it would rank right up there with a pediatric oncologist. A BIG part of the job is informing PARENTS of their childs misfortune. Most of the news isn't pleasent and parents are.......well....in love with their children. Although I have a background in genetics it is entirely a different thing when it affects your child...and I would not want to be the doctor that spoke to my family a few years back.

I am 159.6% sure that I want to go in this field. I would not even consider med school if I couldn't do genetics. 😀 The depression is just something I'll have to deal with, and I am prepared to do so. 😉

Thanks for the info guys. I went on the ABMG website (which is very uniformative, by the way) and did some other searches. The training required is:

- an M.D.
- specialization in pediatrics, obstetrics/gyn, or internal medicine. I understand why ped and ob/gyn but I don't understand why internal medicine.
- a fellowship with the ABMG.

Specialization is 3-5 years; fellowship is 2-3 years, I believe, so to be a clinical genetists, you're looking at 9-12 years of schooling after undergrad. Try not to think too hard about it, I guess. 😉

Okay, more questions:

CTL, what school will you be attending? What are your plans for clinical genetics - do you have an idea of what you will be specializing in? Any suggestions for preparation?

Anybody know of other schools that are good for genetics? I didn't apply to JHU and I just want to see if the schools that I applied to are decent for genetics.

Thanks,

C.

 

[CTIL]

Chieka,

I think I'm going to Pritzker, but I haven't made up my mind yet. University of Chicago, WashU, Baylor, University of Washington, and Harvard (obviously) are all great places for genetics. I think I'll probably do a pediatrics residency, but who knows. Good luck. CTIL