Expanding Genetic Testing Beyond Specialty Clinics

The two-day summit focused on demystifying genetic diagnostics for general nephrology practices. Experts argued that clinicians do not need specialized genetics training to act as advocates for their patients. By establishing simple workflows for informed consent, sample collection, and result interpretation, community providers can provide clearer diagnoses and better long-term management for families. Meyeon Park of UCSF noted that shifting this responsibility is essential to replacing clinical uncertainty with actionable information for both doctors and patients.

Beyond technical implementation, the event addressed the profound emotional toll of inherited disease. Patient speakers highlighted that genetic testing often affects entire families, requiring clinicians to consider the multi-generational trauma and socioeconomic barriers that prevent equitable access to care. Katie Reed, a transplant recipient and advocate, urged providers to look beyond test results and recognize the systemic disadvantages faced by rural and minority populations. As the field moves toward next-generation sequencing and polygenic risk scores, the National Kidney Foundation intends to use these insights to build resources that help clinicians translate complex biological data into personalized, accessible patient care.