Hong Kong doctors to be trained up as city faces shortage of clinical genetics experts
College of Paediatricians designs nine-year course to meet demand for specialist services
Demand for medical services in clinical genetics has seen a threefold increase over the past six years, prompting a top medical body to design added training programmes for Hong Kong’s doctors.
Dr Brian Chung Hon-yin, a clinical associate professor from the University of Hong Kong, told the Post that new patients visiting Queen Mary Hospital for services relating to genetic disorders had increased from eight per week in 2010 to about 24 currently.
Meanwhile, figures from the Department of Health show about 1,500 new genetics-related diagnoses and referrals have been received each year over the past five years.
However the number of patients seeking clinical genetics services could be far greater, according to Chung, as around 80 per cent of rare diseases are rooted from genetic problems.
“Cardiologist might contact patients with heart diseases only, but clinical geneticist would see patients from cardiology, neurology or orthopaedics. There is a great demand of service,” he said.
Dr Ivan Lo Fai-man, a specialist from the health department, said having more doctors with expertise on clinical genetics could improve diagnoses for patients with rare diseases.