#24-Clinical genetic services: Provider retention & telegenetics

Today’s episode is about clinical genetic services. In the first segment, Khalida talks to authors Courtney and Jade about retention of patient-facing genetic counselors and how generational age and work environment influence retention. For the second segment, Khalida chats with Dr. Ba-Jaj about telegenetics in India, reviewing data from 3 years and almost 1000 cases!

Segment 1: Factors influencing retention of patient-facing genetic counselors: Role of generational age and work environment

Courtney Schroeder, MS, LCGC is an oncology genetic counselor at Indiana University Health. She received her BS in Psychology and Biology from the University of Dayton and her MS in Genetic Counseling from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Courtney primarily works with the Precision Genomics team at IU Health. She also manages the Hereditary Renal and Prostate Cancer Clinic, which she established through a grant-funded project.

Jade McIntyre, MS, LCGC is a 2025 graduate of Indiana University Genetic Counseling Program. She is currently working as a genetic counselor in the Medical and Molecular Genetics Department at Indiana University Health. Jade is grateful for the opportunity to share the findings from her graduate student research that was published in July 2025.

In this segment we discuss:

- This episode explores factors influencing retention of patient-facing genetic counselors.

- The study highlights flexibility, autonomy, and experience as key drivers of retention.

- Results show higher retention among older, more experienced counselors.

- The discussion emphasizes employer strategies to improve workforce retention.

Segment 2: Telegenetics in India: A 3-year review of 938 appointments and patient–clinician perspectives

Dr Shruti Bajaj completed her MBBS and MD Pediatrics from Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. She subsequently pursued a Fellowship in Clinical Genetics, accredited by Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, from Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

Thereafter, Dr. Shruti Bajaj amassed vast clinical experience as an Assistant Professor in the busy Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Genetics at Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College and King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, for five years (2013- 2017).