Managing Health in the Genomic Era

In recent years genomic medicine has grown from a new medical science to an implementable set of clinical methods and technologies whose concrete applications are revolutionizing the health sector. However, most primary care and family health practitioners still have limited experience employing genetic and genomic approaches effectively in their daily practice.

In Managing Patient Health in the Genomic Era: Family Health History and Chronic Disease Risk, Drs. Vincent Henrich, Lori Orlando, and Brian Shirts discuss the practical considerations surrounding the use of genomic and genetic tests to manage patient health, provide adult disease risk assessment, improve diagnosis, and support effective interventions and treatment. In ten chapters, evidence-based information and case studies are described and examine the central place of family health history (FHH) in genomic medicine, tools and strategies for compiling and analysing family health history, how to identify existing and novel genetic markers, how to identify lineage specific (or rare) variants within families, and how to find effective interventions based on genetic testing results and FHH. Factors which influence clinical practice, including gene-environment interactions, FHH social networking, direct to consumer (DTC) genetic testing and data sharing, algorithms for analyzing genetic data, and patient counseling are discussed from the standpoint of clinical practice.

Here frontline healthcare providers will discover succinct commentary and key examples to assist with their local needs. Relevant principles of genetic biology and inheritance are explored and guidance on available support networks and online resources is also provided.

• Presents a practical, accessible resource for primary care providers, allied health professionals, pharmacologists, public health professionals, students and clinical researchers
• Addresses genetic and genomic approaches in managing patient health, conducting and analyzing family health histories, and assessing adult disease risk
• Features an expert author team with direct experience integrating genetics and genomics in primary care and family medicine settings
• Examines the attributes and limitations of family health history, genetic testing, and genomic testing in clinical practice
• Includes detailed explanations following practice-based examples

Clinical and translational researchers; non-geneticist physicians, in particular pediatricians, primary care providers, family medicine doctors, internists, general practitioners, obstetricians and gynecologists, oncologists; pharmacists; pharmacologists; medical students and residents in various specialties; healthcare administrators and affiliates; genetic counselors

1. Genomic Medicine Overview

Part I. FHH, Genomics, and Disease Risk
2. Family Health History’s Place in Genomic Medicine
3. FHH as a driver of genetic testing
4. FHH contextualizes genetic test results
5. FHH help to identify existing and new genetic markers
6. Lineage specific variants: principles and detection (Brian Shirts)
7. FHH, gene-environment interactions
8. Finding Effective Interventions in the Genomic era
9. Tools for FHH collection and Analysis
10. Applying algorithms, Epidemiology, Evidence-based intervention (Beth Hauser)
11. Genetic counseling: description and purpose (Adam Buchanan)
12. Closing the loop: patient followup

Part III. Primary Care in the Genomic Era
13. Prognosis for FHH-social networking for extended families, consent issues
14. Conclusion: The future: Whole genome sequencing, familial variant database, gene editing