Graduation Year
2022
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.P.H.
Degree Name
MS in Public Health (M.S.P.H.)
Degree Granting Department
Public Health
Major Professor
Deborah Cragun, Ph.D., M.S., LCGC
Committee Member
Nevena Krstic, M.S., LCGC
Committee Member
Krista Redlinger-Grosse, Ph.D., LP, Sc.M., LGC
Keywords
behaviors, FOCUS framework, processes, reciprocal engagement model, strategies
Abstract
Genetic Counseling (GC) is striving to become a more evidence-based field, but the absence of a clearly defined taxonomy of clinical skills is impeding efforts to systematically study and compare GC processes. Several frameworks such as the Reciprocal Engagement Model (REM) and FOCUS-GC have outlined strategies and behaviors used to meet patient needs, but neither include comprehensive descriptions of existing skills or delineate which are actually being used most commonly in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to compile a large list of demonstrable genetic counseling skills and determine how often clinical genetic counselors (GCs) report using them in current practice. Our list was primarily created using the communication strategy domain of FOCUS-GC and was limited to 64 skills. Clinical GCs were emailed an invitation or recruited on social media and asked to complete an online survey by indicating how often they use various skills and listing any preferred names they might have to refer to the skills. Among 103 respondents practicing in prenatal (n=21), cancer (n=34), pediatrics (n=29), and other specialties (n=19), establishing mutual understanding of purpose of visit, using plain language, and encouraging questions were the skills GCs reported using most often. Quizzing, using decision aids, and asking scaling questions were reportedly used least frequently. Six GCs reported having a different name for one or more skills, and one GC reported using an additional strategy that we did not include. Underutilized skills for which there is evidence of effectiveness include reflections, pictographs, teach back, scaling questions, and decision aids. Future efforts are warranted to agree upon a taxonomy of skills with specific names and definitions that can be utilized in GC research and graduate programs.
Scholar Commons Citation
Wright, Nicole M., "Assessing Reported Use of Clinical Genetic Counseling Skills" (2022). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/10371
