| Genetic Counseling |
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It is predicted that 21st century to be a new genetic era. As genetic diseases
are constantly mutating and being discovered, genetic specialists faces a
daunting task of finding a cure for each individual. As a result, doctors are
unable to satisfy all their patients' needs or to answer all their inquiries.
In many countries we can find teams of medical specialists who serve patients
of genetic illnesses. These specialists include medical doctors, genetic
counselors, nutritionists, social workers and psychologists. When we look at
the current medical system in Taiwan, even though a few teaching hospitals
or medical centers have filled the positions of genetic specialists, nutritionists,
psychologists, social workers, etc., the role of genetic counsellors, which is
very important and specific in the followup of genetic counselling, is still
missing. Therefore, the confirmation of the expertise of genetic counsellors
is an important role in the network of genetic counselling.
Since 2001, together with the Taiwan Human Genetic Society, Dr. Wu-Liang
Hu of National Taiwan University Hospital and Dr. Shuan-Pei Lin of Mackay
Memorial Hospital, TFRD integrated the Human Resources subsidies fund,
as provided by the Council of Labor Affairs, Executive Yuan, to conduct an
one-year Genetic Counselling Training Program. We hire graduating students
from areas relevant to genetic studies as genetic counsellors. They make
clinical rounds at National Taiwan University Hospital and Mackay Memorial
Hospital and receive on-field training by genetic specialists. Additionally, they
assist patients and doctors with relevant services, connecting the patients and
the hospital workers.
The foundation also set up the “National Rare Diseases Service Center”, with
plans to promote such cooperation models to the genetic health counselling
centers in central, southern and eastern Taiwan and set up an initial genetic
counselling network.
Up to 2018, there are 14 genetic counselling centers established in various
medical centers and teaching hospitals in Taiwan. The Bureau of Health
Promotion has evaluated medical facilities to assure the quality of genetic
counseling centers. They are:
Northern Taiwan:
Central Taiwan:
Chung Shan Medical University Hospital
Southern Taiwan:
Chi Mei Hospital
Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung branch
Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital
National Cheng Kung University Hospital
Eastern Taiwan:
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