Wouldn’t it be great to help your patients find out if they are at risk for certain diseases using DNA testing kits? You could work with them on preventative measures. You could provide them with a treatment plan to help them avoid damaging effects.
Wouldn’t it be nice to help your patients establish both ancestry and paternal information right there in your office? Or for your patients who are trying to conceive a child, wouldn’t it be great to help them do that? You could also help them determine if their unborn child will have any genetic defects.
The good news is that you can do all these types of DNA testing and more. Below are the most common uses for DNA testing kits in Physician practices.
DNA Testing Kits To Determine Risk for Diseases
The Federal Drug Administration has approved DNA testing that can test for all kinds of diseases. These can include testing for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Celiac, risk for lung and liver diseases, as well as Dystonia. It can also test for diseases like Factor XI Deficiency, Gaucher’s, Glucose- Phosphate Dehydrogenase, Hereditary Hemochromatosis, and Hereditary Thrombophilia.
Believe it or not, these same tests can now be done at home by the patient. However, this may not be the best idea, considering results can give the patients anxiety and cause even more confusion.
If you were to offer this DNA testing in your office via DNA testing kits, patients could benefit from your expertise and again from your treatment planning assistance when reviewing any results. You will also be able to read the results much better than your patients.
Determine Paternity
DNA Paternity testing has been around for a century or longer. The methods, however, have adapted through the years to become close to one hundred percent accurate today. Using polymerase chain reaction, the process is quick, accurate and extremely effective.
The legal system requires a court ordered paternity test for them to be permissible in court. These tests can be done by reputable physicians like you with in office DNA testing kits.
According to reports, there are close to 300,000 paternity tests ordered every single year in the United States.
This test is simple and can be done in a very short period. This means, you could help many get the answers they need quickly, while also bringing in additional revenue through the beneficial service of offering DNA testing kits in office.
Paternity testing can also be done for women who are still carrying their babies.
Answer Prenatal Questions
Moms who want information on their unborn children can be helped with DNA testing kits. As a physician, you will be able to give parents information on their baby before arrival.
DNA testing kits can determine if a baby will have certain genetic disorders.
Pre-natal screening tests can involve both screening and diagnostic on pregnant women. Examples of testing include for Down Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sickle Cell Disease.
Trace Ancestry
There is a rise in interest among those wanting to trace their ethnic and ancestor backgrounds. Genealogical histories are helping people around the world connect to their past. This helps them understand where they came from physically.
It can also help them understand mental and emotional backgrounds also. It offers closure to many who feel a need to connect with their past.
Ancestry DNA testing can involve Y chromosome testing, mitochondrial testing and single nucleotide polymorphism testing.
Miscellaneous Tests
There are many other important uses for genetic testing. Not only important, but quite interesting. Testing can help you determine eye color, hair color, attention deficit disorder, and obesity.
DNA testing kits can also test for things like breast cancer genes, Huntington’s Disease, and even bowel cancers. It can also help solve crimes.
DNA testing has become the super hero of bringing resolutions to criminal investigations.
Reports today say genetic testing can even help physicians treat patients who are experiencing pain. Rather than have you go through months of trial and error pain management techniques, it is possible to use genetic testing to help discover which medicines will work.
As you know, the body requires certain enzymes to activate certain pain medications. Knowing the genetic history of a person’s enzymes can help you determine the person’s metabolism better. This will help you administer the correct dosage with better safety and effectiveness.
As a physician, DNA testing kits allow you to provide many beneficial services to your patients and your community. These services are easy for you to perform and non-invasive for the patient.
DNA testing as an ancillary service increases revenue and patient numbers without an increase in work load. This service can be a win-win for your practice.