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| Katherine Parks, class of 2024 |
I was able to be involved in the DSD team meetings, participate in the DSD clinic as well as the genetic counselor only clinic, and call out results. The DSD team includes behavioral medicine, endocrinology, gynecology, urology, ethics board, social workers and genetics. Prior to the monthly clinic, there is a large team meeting where all of the providers collaborate on how to best care for the upcoming patients. It was rewarding to be a part of a team that was so passionate about providing the best care possible for their patients. Each patient’s appointment was completely unique and presented their own complex emotional and scientific situations. Most patients saw all of the clinical members of the teams during their appointment at the DSD clinic. One case that stuck out to me involved a patient who was diagnosed with ambiguous genitalia at birth. The family was referred to the DSD clinic where we were able to coordinate genetic testing as well as a plan for long term patient care. While the family was understandably anxious, they seemed to be comforted by each provider they saw. It was rewarding to see all of the different providers come together and coordinate thorough and unique patient care and by the end of the appointment they seemed much more optimistic.
This clinical rotation was valuable as I believe it allowed me to develop more skills that are critical for any genetic counselor. Like balancing clinical and emotional conversations with patients, discerning appropriate genetic laboratory/tests, and working as a member of a large multidisciplinary team. I was also able to better understand the role that genetic counselors can play in multidisciplinary clinics. Reflecting on my DSD clinical rotation, I am grateful for the mentorship Jodie was able to provide and the experiences that enriched my journey in GC graduate school.