Open AccessPatient outcomes associated with group and individual genetic counseling formats
Author(s) -
Erin Rothwell,
Wendy Kohlmann,
Kory Jasperson,
Amanda Gammon,
Bob Wong,
Anita Y. Kinney
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
familial cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1573-7292
pISSN - 1389-9600
DOI - 10.1007/s10689-011-9486-2
Subject(s) - genetic counseling , medicine , distress , breast cancer , clinical psychology , patient satisfaction , genetic testing , family medicine , test (biology) , cancer , nursing , paleontology , genetics , biology
Identifying new methods to deliver cancer genetic counseling (GC) are needed to meet the growing interest in BRCA1/2 testing. The goal of this pilot feasibility study was designed to test the initial acceptability of group GC on selected patient outcomes (satisfaction, distress, perceived control) in a breast/ovarian cancer genetics clinic setting. Sixty-five participants at increased risk for hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC) agreed to participate in self-selected individual or group GC appointments. Forty-nine participants completed all study questionnaires and were included in the analyses. There were significant improvements for participants in both the individual and group GC formats with regard to perceived personal control, general psychological distress and cancer-specific psychological distress scores. Participants in both the individual and group formats reported high satisfaction scores on the Genetic Counseling Satisfaction Scale. Study results suggest that group GC may be feasible and acceptable to high-risk women.