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Artificial Intelligence-Based Chatbots in Genetic Counseling Practice: Current Uptake, Utilization, and Perspectives

AI-driven chatbots have been utilized in healthcare to automate administrative tasks, improve patient education, and expand access to medical information; however, their role in genetic counseling remains underexplored. To investigate the adoption, perceptions, and potential utility of AI-based chatbots in genetic counseling practice, 217 genetic counselors and genetic counseling students from across North America were surveyed regarding chatbot usage, confidence in their application, and perceived benefits and…

By the Truvace desk1 min read1 sourcePeer-reviewedTRV-2026-1236· cite & verify
Artificial Intelligence-Based Chatbots in Genetic Counseling Practice: Current Uptake, Utilization, and Perspectives
ELIZA conversation by Unknown author Unknown author. Public domain

In brief

A peer-reviewed survey of 217 genetic counselors and students in North America examined current uptake of AI chatbots in genetic counseling. While 76.5% reported using general chatbots outside clinical settings, only 8.8% reported using or recommending clinical genetics chatbots, mainly for at-risk family communication and patient education.

The findings matter because they show a perceived efficiency upside alongside persistent safety and training gaps that could affect patient understanding of genetic risk. Uncertainty remains about how to ensure accurate, up-to-date information and appropriate task boundaries, especially for disclosing uncertain or positive results, before chatbots can be integrated and regulated in routine care.

Main points

  1. Survey of 217 genetic counselors and students across North America found 76.5% used general AI chatbots outside clinic but only 8.8% used or recommended clinical genetics chatbots in practice.
  2. Among clinical users, top uses were communication with at-risk family members (61.1%) and patient education (55.6%).
  3. Confidence was highest for gathering family history information (40.7%) and lowest for disclosing variants of uncertain significance or positive results (2.5%).

The problem

Counselors reported low confidence in chatbots for sensitive result disclosure and major concerns about patient comprehension and information accuracy.

The rundown

The study surveyed 217 genetic counselors and students in North America about general and clinical genetics chatbot use, confidence, and perceived benefits and limitations.

Results showed a gap between general AI use and clinical adoption, with only 18 of 204 reporting clinical use, primarily for family communication and education, alongside confidence gradients by task.

Respondents flagged benefits for efficiency but also risks around comprehension and accuracy, with only 8.2% reporting prior AI training, suggesting need for structured education before wider implementation.

Sources

  1. Peer-reviewedJournal of Genetic Counseling2026-10-01

The debate