Genetic disease diagnosis and treatment in Shanghai: Survey and countermeasures for clinical genetics specialist training.
10.3760/cma.j.cn511374-20251208-00708
- Author:
Xiaoju HUANG
1
,
2
;
Lin HAN
;
Li CAO
;
Taosheng HUANG
;
Duan MA
;
Jian WANG
;
Wenjuan QIU
;
Fanyi ZENG
;
Luming SUN
;
Chenming XU
;
Songchang CHEN
;
Xinyu KUANG
;
Hong TIAN
Author Information
1. Shanghai Medical Association, Shanghai 200435, China. 13501996921@
2. com.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Humans;
China;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Genetic Diseases, Inborn/genetics*;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Genetics, Medical/education*;
Genetic Testing
- From:
Chinese Journal of Medical Genetics
2026;43(4):241-247
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the current status of clinical genetics specialization development and the diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities for hereditary diseases across medical institutions in Shanghai, and to assess the necessity and feasibility of establishing training bases for clinical genetics specialists.
METHODS:By employing a cross-sectional survey design, the Clinical Genetics Committee of Shanghai Medical Association has conducted questionnaire surveys from March to April 2025 across 54 healthcare institutions in Shanghai (including 33 tertiary hospitals and 21 secondary hospitals). The survey involved administrative departments and medical personnel from 15 clinical specialties. The survey has covered current genetic disease diagnosis and treatment practices, relevant and specialised disease types, genetic department establishment, testing capabilities, personnel teams, and training requirements.
RESULTS:The results revealed that 78.0% of clinical departments surveyed had treated patients with hereditary disorders. Shanghai possesses diagnostic and therapeutic expertise for over 95% of hereditary diseases listed in its rare disease catalogue, reflecting both the practical clinical demand for such conditions and the city's overall diagnostic and therapeutic strengths in this field. Nevertheless, significant disparities exist in the development of genetics departments across different tiers of healthcare institutions. Resources for genetic testing capabilities (including molecular, cellular, and biochemical testing) are also unevenly distributed across different tiers of hospitals. The survey further revealed that only 26.0% of departments believe that their current physician structure fully meets the diagnostic and treatment demands. Over 90% of departments consider standard training for clinical genetic specialists necessary, with 74.0% expressing willingness to participate in establishing training bases. Based on above findings and thorough deliberation, the Clinical Genetics Committee of the Shanghai Medical Association proposes advancing specialist training and discipline development through establishing a standard training system. The committee has drafted a three-year training protocol featuring a "joint training"-centered model, recommending a pilot-first, dynamically optimized strategy for steadily advancing training base development.
CONCLUSION:Shanghai faces substantial demand for genetic disease diagnosis and treatment, yet exhibits shortcomings in clinical genetics specialization development, resource allocation, and talent pipeline cultivation. To establish a standard training system holds significant practical importance and is underpinned by a broad demand.
