Medical management adherence as an outcome of genetic counseling in a pediatric setting

As healthcare reimbursement is increasingly tied to value-of-service, it is critical for the genetic counselor (GC) profession to demonstrate the value added by GCs through outcomes research. We conducted a rapid systematic literature review to identify outcomes of genetic counseling. Web of Science (including PubMed) and CINAHL databases were systematically searched to identify articles meeting the following criteria: 1) measures were assessed before and after genetic counseling (pre-post design) or comparisons were made between a GC group vs. a non-GC group (comparative cohort design); 2) genetic counseling outcomes could be assessed independently of genetic testing outcomes, and 3) genetic counseling was conducted by masters-level genetic counselors, or non-physician providers. Twenty-three papers met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were in the cancer genetic setting and the most commonly measured outcomes included knowledge, anxiety or distress, satisfaction, perceived risk, genetic testing (intentions or receipt), health behaviors, and decisional conflict. Results suggest that genetic counseling can lead to increased knowledge, perceived personal control, positive health behaviors, and improved risk perception accuracy as well as decreases in anxiety, cancer-related worry, and decisional conflict. However, further studies are needed to evaluate a wider array of outcomes in more diverse genetic counseling settings.

Section: Diabetes Prevention Classes (12-week Lifestyle Balance Progrmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Rapid Systematic Review of Outcomes Studies in Genetic Counseling

Madlensky

Trepanier

Cragun

et al. 2017

“…Genetic counseling is essential for family understanding, knowledge, satisfaction, and compliance (Bjorvatn et al, 2007; Rutherford, Zhang, Atzinger, Ruschman, & Myers, 2014). Similar rates of genetic counseling were found by Livingston et al in 2011 when they studied rates of genetic counseling for metabolic disorders tracked by newborn screening programs in Minnesota, Missouri, and Rhode Island (Livingston et al, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Exploration of Genetic Test Utilization, Genetic Counseling, and Consanguinity within the Inborn Errors of Metabolism Collaborative (IBEMC)

Stein

Vockley

Edick

et al. 2017

The Inborn Errors of Metabolism Collaborative (IBEMC) includes clinicians from 29 institutions collecting data to enhance understanding of metabolic conditions diagnosable by newborn screening. Data collected includes hospitalizations, test results, services, and long-term outcomes. Through evaluation of this data, we sought to determine how frequently genetic counseling had been provided, how often genetic testing was performed, and also determine the consanguinity rate in this population. A data query was performed with the following elements abstracted/analyzed: current age, metabolic condition, whether genetic counseling was provided (and by whom), whether genetic testing was performed, and consanguinity. Genetic counseling was provided to families 95.8% of the time and in 68.6% of cases by a genetic counselor. Genetic testing was performed on 68.0% of subjects, with usage highest for fatty-acid-oxidation disorders (85.1%). The rate of consanguinity was 2.38%. Within this large national collaborative there is a high frequency of genetic counseling, though in one-third of cases a genetic counselor has not been involved. Additionally, while metabolic conditions have historically been diagnosed biochemically, there is currently high utilization of molecular testing suggesting DNA testing is being incorporated into diagnostic assessments - especially for fatty-acid-oxidation disorders where the underlying genotype helps predict clinical presentation.

“…[44]. Genetic Counselor involvement has been associated with increased adherence to provider recommendations [45]. Adherence and self-management can contribute to improvements in survival and other health outcomes.…”

Section: Patient Reactions Assessment (Pra) Subscalementioning

confidence: 99%

Development of FOCUS‐GC: Framework for Outcomes of Clinical Communication Services in Genetic Counseling

Cragun

Zierhut

2017

Conceptual frameworks bring together existing theories and models in order to identify, consolidate, and fill in gaps between theory, practice, and evidence. Given the vast number of possible outcomes that could be studied in genetic counseling, a framework for organizing outcomes and postulating relationships between communication services and genetic counseling outcomes was sought. Through an iterative approach involving literature review, thematic analysis, and consolidation, outcomes and processes were categorized to create and define components of a conceptual framework. The final product, "Framework for Outcomes of Clinical commUnication Services" (FOCUS) contains the following domains: communication strategy; communication process measures; patient care experience, patient changes, patient health; and family changes. A website was created to allow easier access and ongoing modifications to the framework. In addition, a step-by-step guide and two examples were created to show flexibility in how the framework can be used. FOCUS may help in conceptualizing, organizing and summarizing outcomes research related to risk communication and counseling in genetic service delivery as well as other healthcare settings.