“One of the real advantages of being able to incorporate the GeneSight test results into our treatment is that, of course, we’re seeing better outcomes, which is always our goal.”
My philosophy towards patients is that I treat them the way I would want my own children treated. I don’t know why a physician would do it any other way.
Hi. My name is Kyle John. I’m the medical director at The Arc of the Ozarks. One of the real advantages of being able to incorporate the GeneSight test results into our treatment is that, of course, we’re seeing better outcomes, which is always our goal–to get our patients to remission, which doesn’t mean that they’re ten percent better or half of their symptoms are gone. We wanna restore them to their full physical and emotional health. The GeneSight test gives us some specific information that allows a provider to personalize a medication plan for a patient.
When I consider the big picture and incorporate the GeneSight test results, I’m able to take those twelve to fourteen medications and narrow down the options, that I think, fit best with the child.
Sometimes I’ve heard the GeneSight test described as the right drug test. I use the phrase “not the wrong drug test”, because really what it does is it allows me to look at a group of medications that I think would be appropriate for a patient and go, here are the meds that I could consider, here’s the test results, and when I marry the two, I’m able to narrow it down to the medications that I think will be the most effective with the fewest side effects.
Does it guarantee the medicine’s gonna work? No. And we tell our patients upfront, this doesn’t guarantee a drug is going to work for your child, but it does help us minimize the the chance that your child has a side effect, and it really allows us to, narrow down the list of medications that are really appropriate for your child.
And so helping both the patient and their parent or caregiver feel comfortable, my child’s provider was thoughtful about the diagnosis, discussed all the options with me, and then didn’t just throw a dart at a handful of medications that might help, but really used all of the the data and all of the technology that they have access to personalize a treatment plan for my child.
I struggle to find a client for which the GeneSight information would not be helpful.
This story is one clinician’s personal experience. Other experiences may vary.
As with all genetic tests, the GeneSight test results have limitations and do not constitute medical advice. The test results are designed to be just one part of a larger, complete patient assessment, which would include proper diagnosis and consideration of medical history, other medications being taken, family history, and other factors.
If you are a healthcare provider and interested in learning more about the GeneSight test, please contact us at 855.891.9415. If you are a patient, please talk with your doctor to see if the GeneSight test may be helpful.
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