Advanced Practice Providers in Hereditary Cancer Care: Roles, Collaboration and Future Directions
In the two-part podcast series, “Advanced Practice Providers in Hereditary Cancer Care: Roles, Collaboration and Future Directions,” Heather Hannon DNP APRN-NP OCN ACGN speaks with Carrie Thompson DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, CPNP-PC, OCN, ACGN and Margaret Hornung, DNP FNP-BC, ACGN (Maggie) about the evolving role of advanced practice providers (APPs) in hereditary cancer care.
Together, they explore career pathways, training opportunities, and how APPs are finding their place within the genetics field. Although there is currently no formalized genetics training pathway for APPs, both Carrie and Maggie describe how they have developed their expertise by seeking out educational opportunities. Both completed City of Hope's Intensive Course in Genomic Cancer Risk Assessment, a continuing medical education (CME)-accredited certificate program designed for physicians, physician assistants, genetic counselors, individuals with a master's or PhD in genetics, advanced practice nurses, and geneticists. They have also pursued additional coursework and hands-on learning experiences, including shadowing other providers. Their experiences highlight the adaptability, flexibility, and initiative involved in entering this evolving area of practice.
A central theme of the conversation is the complementary relationship between APPs and genetic counselors. As demand for hereditary cancer services grows, APPs can help expand access to care while bringing their own clinical expertise to multidisciplinary teams. Their roles may include conducting risk assessments, ordering genetic testing, arranging follow-up imaging, coordinating risk-reducing interventions, and providing longitudinal care. Carrie also emphasizes the important role APPs can fill in settings where genetic counselors are in short supply. Through collaboration, genetic counselors, APPs, and physicians can provide more comprehensive care than any one provider could offer alone.
The speakers also discuss how APPs contribute beyond direct patient care through program development, leadership, and research. Their doctoral training provides valuable skills in evaluating clinical practices, analyzing data, and developing new care models. For example, Carrie describes her efforts to expand APP involvement in genetics through a genetics fellowship program. Maggie shares her experience developing a high-risk breast clinic in partnership with a rural hospital to bring genetics services to patients who might otherwise face barriers to care.
Building rapport with patients is another important aspect of the APP role. The speakers emphasize meeting patients where they are, understanding their individual circumstances, and communicating complex information in an accessible and meaningful way. By reviewing medical records, considering broader family and psychosocial contexts, and building relationships over multiple visits, APPs can help patients navigate decisions about genetic testing, screening, and risk management. They share clinical examples that demonstrate the importance of individualized care, particularly when unexpected genetic findings or complex family histories influence medical management.
Despite the opportunities, significant challenges remain in genetics care. Long wait times and workforce shortages, including a limited number of genetic counselors, make it difficult to meet the growing demand for hereditary cancer services. The speakers discuss strategies to address these challenges, including expanding the APP workforce and increasing access to point-of-care testing as guidelines evolve. Patient education videos can also help streamline the process, while nurse navigators can provide additional support throughout the testing process. Hornung notes that building these programs requires time and resources, and providers often need to demonstrate demand before receiving adequate support. As genetic testing guidelines continue to expand, APPs may play an increasingly important role in ensuring patients have access to appropriate testing and ongoing care.
For APPs interested in pursuing a career in genetics, the speakers encourage gaining clinical exposure through shadowing, seeking additional genetics education and credentialing opportunities, attending professional meetings such as the annual CGA-IGC meeting, getting involved in research, and connecting with others in the field. Looking ahead, they anticipate that APPs will become increasingly integrated into hereditary cancer care, taking on expanded roles in program development, leadership, precision medicine, and preventive health. Advances in whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing, population screening, and cascade testing are likely to create even more opportunities for APP involvement.
The key takeaway: APPs are an important and growing part of the hereditary cancer care team. By bringing complementary clinical expertise, leadership, and a commitment to comprehensive patient care, they can help expand access to genetics services and meet the growing demand for hereditary cancer risk assessment and management. The speakers emphasize that there is room for everyone in this evolving field and that the strongest care comes from working collaboratively across disciplines.
___________________________________________________________________________________
Our webinars are a valuable member benefit, and we encourage you to sign up as a member so you can join the live webinars and access our earlier webinar series on demand!
You might also like to explore our podcasts. The CGA-IGC Research Collaboration series or others from the CGA-IGC Podcast Series (Seasons 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8) presented by the CGA-IGC Education Committee. Or, explore our Expert Approach to Hereditary Gastrointestinal Cancers podcast series (Seasons 1 and 2).
We're also on Spotify!
Also, looking for other educational resources? Toolkits? Journal scans?
___________________________________________________________________________________
Comments