Lansdale, PA (PRWEB) March 26, 2015 -- Genetic testing—the process of using medical tests to look for changes in a person’s genes or chromosomes—is expanding rapidly in the United States. To navigate a healthcare system in which genetic and genomic information will be used more frequently to diagnose and treat disease, healthcare professionals and patients need to be equipped with a basic understanding of the language. Genomics Literacy: What You Need to Know about Genetics and Genomics, the latest white paper from Hayes, Inc., explains why and how to prepare for a future in which genetic and genomic information will be in routine use.
“Genomics is a complex science that can be tough for people to understand, even individuals with advanced medical degrees,” explains Linnie Wieselquist, MEd, Associate Editor, Genetic Test Evaluation Program at Hayes, Inc, and the author of the paper. “Some of the difficulty that people have is due to the specialized language of genetics. But another reason genetics is hard for many people to understand is that it is simply not taught, even in some medical schools. Nevertheless, professionals need to boost their own genetic literacy and that of their patients so that they can make knowledgeable decisions.”
But it’s not enough to simply recognize the difference between genes and jeans. To understand personal issues involving genomic medicine, comprehend media reports, or participate in public policy discussions about genomics, people need a broad comprehension of genomic medicine. “One way to boost our genomic literacy is to know where to find high-quality educational and informational resources,” says Ms. Wieselquist. “Our white paper includes a list of numerous online genomics resources that are geared toward professional and lay populations.”
If the intricate language of genetics and genomics has you confused, download your complimentary copy of Genomics Literacy: What You Need to Know about Genetics and Genomics today.
About Hayes, Inc.
Achieving best patient outcomes by using proven medical technologies is the basis on which Hayes was founded. Our team of analysts and clinicians is a trusted resource for unbiased and timely research, evidence analysis, and guidance that drive effective health technology utilization and cost management. For more than 25 years, Hayes has been empowering clinicians, health plan policymakers, and government agencies in their mission to make sound evidence-based decisions that balance cost, quality, and patient outcomes.
For more information about Hayes, Inc. visit http://www.hayesinc.com. Or, contact Hayes, Inc. by mail at 157 S. Broad Street, Lansdale, PA 19446; by telephone at 215.855.0615; by e-mail at [email protected]; or by fax at 215.855.5218.
Karen Matthias, Hayes, Inc., http://www.hayesinc.com, 215.855.0615, [email protected]
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