Description
Genetics is increasingly important in health care provision, but its relevance on a day-to-day basis is often poorly understood. Genetics for Healthcare Professionals introduces the general principles of genetics and links these to real world examples, to allow nurses, midwives, genetic counsellors and doctors to apply this knowledge in their routine clinical practice.

The book takes an holistic family-oriented approach, from preconception to adulthood, and addresses the misconception that clinical genetics is only of relevance to those who are reproducing.

Genetics for Healthcare Professionals is an essential textbook of genetics for nurses, midwives, genetic counsellors and doctors. An ideal coursebook for students in the healthcare professions, it is also written for qualified staff seeking an update on current issues and how to apply them in practice.

Contents
Ch 1. SETTING THE SCENE
Introduction
Defining genetic counselling
Genetic services
Types of genetic testing
Ethical practice
Genetic testing of children
Genetics and insurance
Impact of genetic condition on families
Nondirectiveness in genetic health care
Documentation
Conclusion
Ch 2. THE FAMILY HISTORY
Introduction
Guidelines for drawing the family tree
Drawing the tree - a practical example
Dealing with unexpected information when taking the family tree
Inheritance patterns
Making a numerical assessment of risk
Bayesian calculations
Using the Hardy-Weinberg equation to calculate carrier risk
Lay knowledge and the perception of risk
Conclusion
Ch 3. COUNSELING ISSUES
Introduction
The psychological needs of the client and their family
Basic counseling skills
Non-directiveness
Counseling supervision
Conclusion
Ch 4. BASIC CONCEPTS IN GENETIC SCIENCE
Introduction
The chromosomes
Investigating the chromosome structure
Inheritance
Genetic mutations
Polygenic inheritance
Mitochondrial inheritance
The Human Genome Project
Pharmacogenetics
Gene therapy
Conclusion
Ch 5. PRE-CONCEPTION
Introduction
Maternal age
Neural tube defects and the role of folic acid in lowering the risks
Genetic conditions affecting the mother
Maternal drug therapy
Consanguinity
Atopy and prenatal exposure to food allergens such as peanuts
Preparing for prenatal diagnosis
Issues of fertility
Adoption
Conclusion
Ch 6. PREGNANCY AND THE PERINATAL PERIOD
Introduction
Care of the mother during pregnancy
Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage)
Down syndrome (trisomy 21)
Prenatal testing techniques
Examination of the neonate
Post-mortem examination of a neonate
Conclusion
Ch 7. INFANCY
Introduction
Congenital abnormalities
Chromosome abnormalities
Examination of the neonate
Breaking bad news
Genetic testing in the neonate
Neonatal screening
Conclusion
Ch 8. CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE
Introduction
Why seek a diagnosis?
Developmental delay
Learning disability
What is dysmorphism?
Genetic conditions in childhood
Genetic testing of children
Genetic healthcare issues in adolescence
Conclusion
Ch 9. ADULTHOOD
Introduction
Familial cancer
Huntington's disease - a model for predictive testing
Psychiatric conditions
Genes and more common disease
Genetic hemochromatosis
Conclusion
Ch 10. DEVELOPMENT OF GENETIC SERVICES AND THE GENETIC COUNSELLING PROFESSION
Introduction
A matter of peas
The eugenics movement
Growth of medical genetics
Establishment of clinical genetic services
Genetic services - the current situation
Establishment of genetic a counseling profession
Conclusion