Quick Parent’s Guide on Genetic Testing in Hong Kong
This is a quick guide about genetic testing in Hong Kong based on parents’ experience. It is very challenging to need to deal with the whole world collapsing while talking to doctors and making decisions about what tests to take. In an ideal world the doctors will proactively and patiently explain possible test options to patient families, but language may sometimes be a barrier or simply that the doctor has already had a long day. Research shows that families prefer to have a diagnosis so they can plan ahead better. It is also advantageous for the hospital as early diagnosis will enable more efficient treatment and symptom management [1] . The teaching hospitals in Hong Kong have strong academic research teams and they are well funded so that children may be eligible for free genetic testing (sometimes the parents’ blood samples will be taken for the child’s test). Even if your child is not seen at a teaching hospital, the public hospital doctors should be in a position to connect the