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Miriam G Blitzer

Publications and source records attributed to Miriam G Blitzer.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Medical genetics and genomics residency programs: Trends in applications, match rates, and matriculation from 2015 to 2024.

PURPOSE: This report analyzes Medical Genetics and Genomics (MGG) training trends from 2015 to 2024. Understanding such trends is vital for developing targeted recruitment and workforce development initiatives. METHODS: Matriculation data from the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG) and publicly available data from the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Main Residency and Specialty Matches were reviewed. Descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis were used to compare growth among MGG training pathways and to analyze trends. RESULTS: From 2015 to 2024, there has been a small, but not statistically significant, increase in the total number of individuals who have matched into categorical MGG, combined Pediatrics (Peds)-MGG, and combined Internal Medicine (IM)-MGG residency programs as a whole. This has been driven by an increase in the number of matches to combined Peds-MGG programs. Matriculation into training programs has exceeded the number of matches in categorical MGG as some positions have been filled outside of the NRMP Match. The average match rate for all applicants in categorical MGG (87%) has been higher than that for Peds-MGG (52%). CONCLUSION: Growth in applicants to combined programs and matriculation into residency programs after the NRMP Match has been promising; however, these increases are not enough to fulfill growing workforce demands.

Internship and Residency↗

The 2023 medical genetics workforce in the United States.

PURPOSE: To characterize the 2023 medical genetics and genomics workforce in the United States-comprising clinical geneticists, genetic counselors, genetic nurses, genetic physician assistants, laboratory geneticists, and metabolic dietitians-to inform genetics workforce efforts. METHODS: National genetics membership or board-certification organizations distributed an electronic survey to medical genetics professionals in early 2023. Questions were derived from prior workforce surveys and by a workgroup led by the National Coordinating Center for the Regional Genetics Networks. RESULTS: Of the 3070 medical genetics professionals who responded, 66.0% were genetic counselors, 15.4% were clinical geneticists, 12.2% were laboratory geneticists, 4.7% were metabolic dietitians, and 1.7% were genetic nurses or physician assistants. The respondents identified as White (76.1%) and women (84.7%); there were statistically significant differences between disciplines. Forty percent worked in academic centers; 55.3% worked 41+ hours per week. Nearly 11% of respondents provided services in a language other than English. Despite 34.7% of respondents experiencing some burnout, most had no plans to leave the field (94.4%) within the next year. CONCLUSION: The medical genetics community needs to advance workforce initiatives to support current personnel and attract new and diverse individuals to the field to serve patients and their families.

Humans↗

The medical genetics workforce: an analysis of clinical geneticist subgroups.

PURPOSE: Clinical geneticists with a Doctor of Medicine degree face challenges to meet the growing population demand for genetic services. This study was designed to assist the profession with workforce planning by identifying clinically relevant subgroups of geneticists and describing their professional characteristics and clinical practices. Geneticists' patient care productivity is compared across subgroups and other medical specialists. METHODS: Part of a comprehensive national study of genetic services and the health workforce, this study uses data from a 2003 survey of geneticists certified by the American Board of Medical Genetics. This study includes 610 clinical geneticists who spend at least 5% of their time in direct patient-care services. An iterative approach was used to identify five subgroups based on the types of new patients seen. We conducted a descriptive analysis of subgroups by demographic, training, professional, and practice characteristics. RESULTS: The subgroups include general (36%), pediatric (28%), reproductive (15%), metabolic (14%), and adult (7%) geneticists. Clinically relevant variations across subgroups were noted in training, professional, and practice parameters. Subgroups vary across patient care hours (median, 15-33 hours/week) and total weekly work hours (52-60 hours). New patient visits (mean, 222-900/year) are higher than follow-up patient visits (mean, 155-405) for all subgroups except metabolic geneticists. CONCLUSION: Although many geneticists practice as generalist geneticists, this study provides an evidence base for distinguishing clinically relevant subgroups of geneticists. Geneticists provide similar numbers of new patient visits and far fewer follow-up visits than other medical specialists. These findings are relevant to geneticist workforce planning.

Data Collection↗

U.S. genetics nurses in advanced practice.

PURPOSE: To describe characteristics and professional roles of genetics nurses in advanced practice. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive survey administered in 2004 as one component of a comprehensive study of genetic services and the health workforce. The sample was 211 U.S. members of the International Society of Nurses in Genetics. METHODS: The survey included demographic characteristics, education, credentials, professional roles, and attitudes about genetic healthcare issues. FINDINGS: The majority of respondents had master's degrees and many had earned doctorates in nursing (20%) or other fields (12%). Thirty-one percent were certified as nurse practitioners; 57% provided direct patient care, with the largest percentage working in genetics (26%) or oncology (22%) settings. Over one-third were educators and 19% conducted genome-related research. CONCLUSIONS: Genetics nurses in advanced practice in the US focus on both genomic discoveries and clinical health care through the application of genomic knowledge into health care, research, and nursing education.

Adult↗