Perform a gene test on every patient: the medical family history revisited.
The medical family history is the most practical personalized genomic tool, yet healthcare professionals often undervalue and underutilize it. Collecting and interpreting the medical family history is an important task for all clinicians. It can shed light on the complex interactions of genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors that determine a patient's present problem and can also indicate a patient's risk for common chronic conditions. Physicians can use a medical family history to diagnose disease, optimize therapy, plan screening, and avoid disease. The medical family history is dynamic so it must be updated regularly. Referral to a genetic specialist needs to be made when a moderate to high risk is identified or there is need for specific gene testing. A reproducible template is provided to expedite family history collection and interpretation.
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, USA. william-bendure@ouhsc.edu
W Blaine
WB
Bendure
John J
JJ
Mulvihill
D005192:Family Health; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010375:Pedigree