A survey of chairpersons of departments of medicine about the current and future roles of clinical genetics in internal medicine.

Abstract

The response of academic Departments of Medicine (DOM), who train the bulk of future US internists, to the increasing importance of clinical genetics is not known. A survey was distributed to 153 DOM chairpersons assessing the current and future roles of clinical genetics as related to internal medicine. Eighty-five (56%) surveys with complete data were returned. A minority of DOM currently employ geneticists; most genetics education and services are provided by nongeneticists; the general competency of internists to deliver genetic services is unclear. Academic DOM have limited faculty expertise in clinical genetics; this may impact the ability to integrate genetics into internal medicine practice and training.