What to Expect
The services that West Oahu Medical Genetics provides include:
- Review of your family and medical history information
- Risk assessment
- Physical examination, if indicated
- Explanation of genetic condition(s) and patterns of inheritance
- Discussion of management, treatment, surveillance and testing options
- DNA testing, chromosome analysis or other genetic testing, if indicated
- Provision of information about support groups and other helpful resources
- Consultation with other specialists as needed
- Follow-up care and review of genetic test results
What Happens During Your Visit?
First, we will need a referral from your doctor. Next, call our office at (808) 676-4224 to schedule your appointment. The Medical Genetics Clinic appointments are held on Monday and Tuesday mornings. New patient appointments are typically 1 – 1½ hours. If you are unable to keep your appointment, it is important that you let us know as soon as possible.
You will be seen by a geneticist (a doctor who has specialized training in genetics). Our geneticist is board certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG).
To prepare for your visit, we review the family and medical information that you have provided us and construct a pedigree (drawing of your family history information). We review the medical literature, use genetic databases and frequently consult with colleagues across the country. This preparatory work can take several hours and is critical to providing you with the most accurate and up-to-date information.
A physical examination will be performed depending on the indication for the clinic visit and type of genetic condition. Most of the clinic visit is spent providing you with information about the genetic condition in understandable terms, discussing your care and linking you with appropriate referrals and resources, including local and national support groups. A letter will be sent to your physician summarizing the information that was discussed during your visit.
