A clinical geneticist is usually an individual who has received an M.D. degree and completed a pediatric, internal medicine, or obstetric residency, followed by specialized training in genetics. Many work at university medical centers or large hospitals.
Some clinical geneticists have private practices.
Some clinical geneticists may work primarily with infants and children. Internists with training in clinical genetics work with adult patients who may have familial forms of heart disease, cancer, or neurological disease. There are also opthalmologists, dermatologists, pathologists, and dentists who are clinical geneticists. Great strides are currently being made in many areas of human genetics, leading to deeper and deeper understanding of the basic functions of genes. Such technologic advances also give rise to new methods of diagnosis and treatment.