The Impact of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing on Patient and Provider

Direct-to-consumer genetic testing came on the scene 2 decades ago as a means for allowing consumers to access their genetic information without the involvement of a physician or genetic counselor. Results are delivered directly to the consumer, often leading to misinterpretation and needless medical interventions or false reassurance. Increasingly, we are seeing these patients in our genetics clinics for test interpretation, management guidance, and confirmatory genetic testing.