Online Genetic Counseling as a Solution for Unmet Needs in Genetic Medicine: The First Survey in Japan

The growing demand for genetic counseling services in Japan has highlighted significant challenges, including capacity limitations, a shortage of specialists, and geographical disparities in access. In this context, online genetic counseling (OGC) presents a potential solution to these challenges. However, no clinical studies on OGC have been conducted in Japan to date. This single-center, cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, implementation challenges, and user satisfaction of OGC compared with traditional in-person genetic counseling (IPGC) through anonymous questionnaire surveys. The results demonstrated consistently positive experiences among OGC participants, although IPGC participants reported significantly higher satisfaction scores across several survey items, including overall session satisfaction. OGC participants particularly valued the convenience and accessibility of the modality. However, concerns were raised regarding privacy protection, limitations in technical infrastructure, and potential barriers to effective communication. These findings suggest that OGC holds promise in addressing unmet needs in genetic medicine across Japan, particularly in reducing access disparities. To facilitate the widespread adoption of OGC, it is essential to enhance technological infrastructure, establish comprehensive guidelines and best practices, implement policy reforms, and encourage further research and clinical validation.