PhenoTips made the everyday workflow of genetic counselors like Scott Weissman 2.5 times more efficient while preparing Genome Medical for a future in which genome and exome sequencing enter the mainstream.
Scott Weissman didn’t plan to become a genetic counselor, in fact, he didn’t know genetics involved healthcare until a professor mentioned genetic counseling in the last two weeks of an introductory genetics course. Having aced the class, Scott decided to switch gears altogether and pursue genetic counseling.
“And I'm glad that I did because I love what I do,” he reflects, “I love helping people, I love helping people understand the background of their genetic disorders, helping them get a better sense of what their risks may be, different preventative actions they can take to minimize risk, so that people can live better and healthier lives.”
Now, with a Masters of Science in Genetic Counseling from Northwestern University, and over 15 years of experience, Scott is the Cancer Service Lead Genetic Counselor at Genome Medical, a nationwide provider of genetic health services via telemedicine.
I love helping people understand the background of their genetic disorders, helping them get a better sense of what their risks may be, and what different preventative actions they can take to minimize risk, so that people can live better and healthier lives.
As a medical practice bringing genomics into accessible, everyday care across the United States of America, Genome Medical was looking for ways to improve day-to-day efficiency. Genetic counselors captured family history in a number of non-standard ways, some using a well-known pedigree drawing tool, and others drawing them by hand and reentering them. This lack of standardization, along with repetitive data re-entry, lead to loss of both time and money, as well as increasing the workload of genetic counselors, who already felt pressed for time.
We liked that it was really forward-thinking, it was built for where genetics was going not where it is today.
It became clear that to continue to provide high-quality care to their nationwide population, Genome Medical needed software that captured family history in a standardized and efficient manner, so the team set out to find the best tool for their practice.
