Telegenetics: Remote Counseling During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mahon, Suzanne M.

doi:10.1188/20.cjon.244-248

Cited by 20 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 11 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…It also revealed insights into the rapid adoption of telegenetics, which could enhance ongoing discussions about best practices and implementation of this service modality. While recent studies have explored the utilization of telegenetics during the COVID‐19 pandemic, many of these studies are descriptive analyses of experiences at single centers (Aziz et al, 2020; Bilbrey et al, 2020; Pagliazzi et al, 2020), although one recent publication proposed considerations for successful transitions to telegenetics counseling (Mahon, 2020). In contrast, the findings presented here summarize the first known study to date to query genetic counselors on a multi‐institutional level across diverse specializations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences from the epicenter: Professional impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on genetic counselors in New York

Bergstrom

Brander

Breen

et al. 2020

American J of Med Genetics Pt C

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The COVID‐19 pandemic disrupted the delivery of healthcare services, including genetic counseling. This study assessed the professional impact of the pandemic on genetic counselors (GCs) and evaluated how genetics service delivery models changed in New York State (NYS). One hundred sixty‐five NYS GCs participated in an anonymous survey. Clinic structure, telegenetics (video and/or telephone consultations) use and acceptability, and professional practices before and during the pandemic were compared. The most frequently reported consultation type shifted from in‐person only (49%) before the pandemic to telegenetics only (39%) during. Most were satisfied with video (93.1%) and telephone (81.4%) telegenetics. Additionally, 93.5% of participants expressed a desire to continue using telegenetics after the pandemic resolves. Common obstacles included difficulties coordinating sample collection (60.2%) and obtaining written consent for testing (57.6%). Billing methods for consultations during the pandemic did not change significantly. Participants were asked about NYS's lack of licensure, which restricts billing options. Most felt that genetic counseling licensure would benefit the profession (92.6%), the public (88.5%), and their institution/company (74.5%). This study provides insight into the effects of the rapid adoption of telegenetics and can guide future discussions about best practices for its use even after the health crisis resolves.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences from the epicenter: Professional impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on genetic counselors in New York

Bergstrom

Brander

Breen

et al. 2020

American J of Med Genetics Pt C

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The COVID‐19 pandemic has rendered in‐person provision of genetic counseling impossible for prolonged periods in many countries, suddenly making remote delivery the only feasible approach (Mahon, 2020; Pagliazzi et al., 2020). We present here a qualitative exploration of factors affecting the provision and outcome of remote genetic counseling during the pandemic, in order to prepare for successful implementation of remote genetic counseling in routine care in Italy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sudden shift to remote genetic counseling during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Experiences of genetics professionals in Italy

Turchetti

Battistuzzi

Bertonazzi

et al. 2021

Journal of Genetic Counseling

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The 2020 COVID‐19 pandemic has rendered in‐person provision of genetic counseling impossible for prolonged periods in many countries, mandating a sudden shift to remote delivery. We used qualitative thematic analysis to explore Italian genetics professionals’ experience with remote genetic counseling. Fourteen group and four individual interviews were conducted after participants had delivered one or more remote sessions via videoconference or on the telephone. Data were coded and grouped under themes. Three main themes were identified as follows: (a) technical and logistical issues, (b) communication issues, and (c) clinical content and outcome of the session. The participants acknowledged that not having to travel to the clinic saves consultands time and expense. They also highlighted that not sharing a physical space with consultands and having to rely on technology can negatively impact on effective communication, building trusting relationships, and performing accurate psychosocial assessments. Regarding the clinical content of sessions, remote genetic counseling was perceived to favor greater focus and succinct, to the point communication. However, participants also felt uncomfortable not being able to use visual aids to support the explanation of complex concepts. Moreover, demographics and the socio‐cultural status of consultands emerged as factors influencing the outcome of remote genetic counseling sessions. Finally, participants reported feeling that more experience with this novel approach would improve their confidence and their ability to adapt their counseling skills as appropriate. Based on these findings, we suggest that effective, equitable provision of remote genetic counseling will require an infrastructure that is able to support video counseling, sharing of clinical documents and visual aids, and connect with a wide range of devices. Moreover, the structure of sessions should be tailored to the specific requirements of remote genetic counseling and suitable training efforts should be promoted to enhance professionals’ communication skills.

show abstract

“…Genetic counseling has been equally transformed by this swift transition (Mahon, 2020 ). A discipline aimed at the diagnostic evaluation and psychosocial counseling of patients, genetic counseling encounters are largely conversational and have historically taken place at in‐person office visits, often with follow‐up and results disclosure done either in‐person or by phone.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Amidst the rapid transition to telemedicine during COVID‐19, Mahon ( 2020 ) has written about limitations and benefits of provision of telegenetics services. Both process‐related concerns such as scheduling, sample collection, and technology and counseling concerns such as reading body language and establishing rapport were discussed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Steep learning curves’ to ‘Smooth Sailing’: A reappraisal of telegenetics amidst the COVID‐19 pandemic

Mueller

Schindewolf

Williams

et al. 2021

Journal of Genetic Counseling

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The COVID‐19 pandemic has pushed medical providers to trial telemedicine on a scale that lacks precedent. In genetic medicine, nearly overnight genetics providers were asked to transition to telemedicine platforms, irrespective of their previous experience with these modalities. This push to telegenetics prompted a reappraisal of the practice, as genetics providers learned firsthand about the feasibility, benefits, and drawbacks of telegenetics and telesupervision, all of which raise questions about the potential incorporation of these platforms beyond the pandemic. Adding to nascent literature on the transition to telegenetics amidst the COVID‐19 pandemic, we aimed to evaluate provider experiences and preferences with respect to telegenetics through qualitative semi‐structured interviews with genetics providers. Nineteen providers from seven institutions participated in a semi‐structured interview focused on the rapid shift to telegenetics, the benefits and drawbacks of the practice, experiences supervising students on virtual platforms, and providers’ preferences. We employed a qualitative methodology so that providers working across diverse subspecialties could expand upon previously reported benefits and drawbacks. Qualitative data revealed the nuanced benefits of telegenetics which included overcoming geographic, spatial, and temporal barriers to care as well as greater involvement of patients’ family members in sessions. In addition, the data indicated drawbacks related to additional tasks such as completing paperwork electronically and facilitating the collection of specimens from patients’ homes. Interviews with providers from different subspecialties revealed how telegenetics may be uniquely useful for particular subspecialties, patient populations, or clinics for whom the aforementioned barriers are more significant. Providers reported that telesupervision made the provision of feedback to students more cumbersome and identified a number of methods for enriching the telesupervision experience. In keeping with previous research, most genetics providers appraised telegenetics as a valuable addition to patient care (68%, N = 13) and hoped to offer it as an option beyond the pandemic (63%, N = 12).

show abstract

Telegenetics: Remote Counseling During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cited by 20 publications

References 11 publications

Experiences from the epicenter: Professional impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on genetic counselors in New York

Experiences from the epicenter: Professional impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on genetic counselors in New York

Sudden shift to remote genetic counseling during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Experiences of genetics professionals in Italy

‘Steep learning curves’ to ‘Smooth Sailing’: A reappraisal of telegenetics amidst the COVID‐19 pandemic

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About