Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has recently been introduced as a diagnostic test for patients with particular rare diseases in the National Health Service (NHS) in England. Little is known about the process of communicating results from WGS to families in practice.
We audio-recorded clinicians and parents discussing the results of WGS for their child’s rare disease diagnosis as part of a larger mixed-methods evaluation of the implementation of the NHS Genomic Medicine Service during its early years.
10 consultations were audio-recorded across four NHS Trusts. Clinical indications for WGS were related to neurological and developmental disorders. Seven parents received a genetic diagnosis for their child’s condition, two received a variant of uncertain significance, and one received a no primary finding result. One parent also received an incidental finding for their child. Challenges in discussing results included (1) explaining a diagnosis when the genotype was established before detailed phenotyping, (2) navigating follow-up for an adult-onset condition identified in childhood, (3) disclosing an unexpected diagnosis for a parent from trio testing and (4) conveying a diagnosis with an uncertain prognosis.
This study illustrates some of the issues that can arise from unexpected and uncertain information when returning results from broad-scope genomic testing for paediatric neurological and developmental disorders. Further study of actual interactions between clinicians and families discussing results from WGS across different specialities and conditions is needed to inform guidance on communication of results within this rapidly evolving area of medicine.