Clinical Genetics

[deleted19731]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Does anyone know any specifics on the availability of fellowships in medical genetics after completing a family medicine residency?

I'm a brand new MS 4 who's going into family med but I've got a big interest (but complete lack of research) in clinical genetics. From the google searches I've done it appears that it's possible to do a fellowship and get board certified via the family med route but I can't really find anything more than that.

Thanks for the help!!!

 

[JackADeli]

Does anyone know any specifics on the availability of fellowships in medical genetics after completing a family medicine residency?...

I don't know of any actual residency type training. I have seen 2yr masters programs that some medical students complete betwee 2nd and 3rd year of medical school. It has mostly been appreciation of the test results and/or what tests to order, counseling and lab research. To my knowledge, there isn't much in the way of credentialing/procedural/etc for genetics. It is an interesting field but seems more "thinking" then actually "doing"... (beyond the counseling and/or bench work).

 

[JackADeli]

So, I did a simple google search:
Found UPMC, Mayo, etc....
It doesn't appear when looking at the programs that pop up that they specify FM/Pedes/IM/PC as a baseline residency requirement for these fellowships. Samples of what the some program goals are:

...The specific goals of the program are as follows:

1. Provide clinical experience with a wide range of patients and families with or suspected of having genetic disease so that trainees learn the various approaches to clinical and laboratory evaluation, management and counseling.
2. Provide a broad range of clinical, counseling and laboratory research opportunities so that trainees can sample many areas of medical genetic and immerse themselves with a productive focus.
3. Provide formal classroom instruction in genetics and counseling through course of graduate school quality, seminars, journal clubs and other educational modalities....

...Program Description
The two-year Clinical Molecular Genetics Fellowship Program leads to the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG) eligibility in Clinical Molecular Genetics. The goal of this specialty program is to train individuals with a doctoral degree (M.D. or Ph.D.) to perform and interpret molecular analyses relevant to the diagnosis and management of human genetic diseases. You will be prepared to direct a molecular diagnostic laboratory and to act as a consultant regarding laboratory diagnosis of a range of disorders. Your training includes didactic sessions, active involvement in clinical case sign out, and training in laboratory bench work associated with research or development projects. The training you will receive in this fellowship program encompasses all aspects of medical genetics (i.e. clinical genetics, genetic counseling, biochemical genetics, cytogenetics, and molecular genetics)...

Does anyone know any specifics on the availability of fellowships in medical genetics after completing a family medicine residency?...

You can check individual programs:
http://www.ashg.org/genetics/ashg/pubs/tpguide/grad_training.shtml

And if all else fails, you can check the old faithful....AMA Frieda search. Select "medical genetics" for the specialty to search....
https://freida.ama-assn.org/Freida/user/viewProgramSearch.do


I checked the ABMG site and it would appear to be board certified, you need the following three/four:
1. MD/DO (for clinical genetics)
2. minimum of 2 years accredited ABMS residency training*
3. completion of two years ABMS/ACGME accredited clinical genetics program*
4. depending on type of program, need an unrestricted medical license (i.e. clinical genetics)

http://www.abmg.org/pdf/2011%20Bulletin%20of%20Info%20PDF%20version.pdf

I did not find anywhere that specifically limits what "type" of physician can train in clinical genetics based on specialty.

*note, instead of two years residency and two years genetics, you could do straight four years accredited genetics training or a five year combined/integrated residency and genetics program.

 

[BlondeDocteur]

In general genetics fellowships are only open to people from IM, Peds or Ob/gyn backgrounds.

However the field is VERY uncompetitive (most programs don't fill) for a variety of reasons. The esoteric nature & lack of exposure, the low low low reimbursements, and the lack of intervention potential are chief among them. That means that someone with a genuine interest could have their pick of spots, even at extremely competitive medical centers.

I know that the first-yr genetics fellow at Columbia came from FM. He told me he was one of the first, if not the first, person accepted for a Genetics fellowship coming out of FM, but it didn't hinder him much on the interview trail. And in case you're curious, his academic credentials were not so hot (no research, non-US citizen Caribbean grad, came out of an uncompetitive FM program in an undesirable area of the country into which he scrambled). He just had a strong interest.

Bottom line: if you're interested in it, absolutely go for it.

 

[thethom]

Yes, can be done from any of the above mentioned residencies and is actually not uncommon from FM, however Med/peds and FM theoretically have more business doing medical genetics as it encompasses adult and pediatric disease. There is a guy from my program going into a medical genetics fellowship. Sounds pretty fascinating and probably refreshingly different from the "butts and guts" of general surgery ;-).

Best of luck!

-Dr. T.

 

[microscp2]

Yes, can be done from any of the above mentioned residencies and is actually not uncommon from FM, however Med/peds and FM theoretically have more business doing medical genetics as it encompasses adult and pediatric disease. There is a guy from my program going into a medical genetics fellowship. Sounds pretty fascinating and probably refreshingly different from the "butts and guts" of general surgery ;-).

Best of luck!

-Dr. T.

Hello Dr. Thethom, I am also a RUSM graduate,I am currently doing my family medicine residency, and used to be a cytogenetic thechnologist, so I have my eyes into a medical genetic specialty and you have given me hope. Thank you