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Efforts of diversity and inclusion, cultural competency, and equity in the genetic counseling profession: A snapshot and reflection
Author(s) -
Channaoui Nadine,
Bui Kara,
Mittman Ilana
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of genetic counseling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1573-3599
pISSN - 1059-7700
DOI - 10.1002/jgc4.1241
Subject(s) - dice , genetic counseling , equity (law) , diversity (politics) , inclusion (mineral) , medical education , cultural competence , public relations , medicine , psychology , sociology , political science , genetics , biology , social psychology , pedagogy , geometry , mathematics , anthropology , law
Like its peer health professions, the genetic counseling field recognizes the need for and value of diversity, inclusion, cultural competency, and equity (DICE). However, despite decades of diversity initiatives, minimal gains in the percentage of genetic counselors with minority identities have been realized. In order to gather information about DICE efforts, two surveys were created and distributed to genetic service providers, trainees, and genetic counseling program faculty yielding a total of 76 responses. Additionally, a literature scan was performed to gain an understanding of past and ongoing DICE efforts in the career. Three emerging domains resulted from quantitative and qualitative analysis of the submitted data: (1) Categories of DICE Projects, (2) Parties Carrying Out DICE Projects , and (3) What is Missing? Overall, inclusion efforts are notably underrepresented among DICE projects. Also, DICE efforts are generally under‐supported, unfunded, and under‐recognized as work‐related responsibilities. To enhance DICE within the genetic counseling profession, we recommend developing additional research and projects focused on career inclusion and equity, implementing policies requiring DICE training for leaders within the field, encouraging project evaluation and outcomes dissemination, and creating a well‐maintained web‐based centralized repository for DICE resources.