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The need for developing standardized family pedigree nomenclature
Author(s) -
Bennett R. L.,
Steinhaus K. A.,
Uhrich S. B.,
O'Sullivan C.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of genetic counseling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1573-3599
pISSN - 1059-7700
DOI - 10.1007/bf00961575
Subject(s) - genetic counseling , family medicine , quality assurance , abortion , medicine , family history , standardization , artificial insemination , genetic testing , gynecology , pregnancy , genetics , biology , computer science , pathology , surgery , external quality assessment , operating system
To assess the variation in usage of symbols used in recording a genetic family history, full members of the National Society of Genetic Counselors were surveyed by questionnaire. The questionnaire return rate was 55.3% and genetic counselors from a broad range of clinical experience, genetic counseling training programs and geographic regions responded. There was striking variation in symbols used for recording routine medical information in a genetic family history (i.e., pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, termination of pregnancy). There was even less consensus in recording situations representing new reproductive technologies (i.e., artificial insemination by donor semen, donor ovum, surrogate motherhood). The results of this survey document the need for developing standardized nomenclature in recording genetic family histories as a quality assurance measure in the delivery of genetic services. Such standardization will reduce the chance of incorrect interpretation of patient and family medical and genetic information .