Premium
An Assessment of Risk Understanding in Hispanic Genetic Counseling Patients
Author(s) -
Eichmeyer Jennifer N.,
Northrup Hope,
Assel Michael A.,
Goka Thomas J.,
Johnston Dennis A.,
Williams Aimee Tucker
Publication year - 2005
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 - 10.1007/s10897-005-0759-5
Subject(s) - genetic counseling , medicine , comprehension , ethnic group , affect (linguistics) , public health , population , risk assessment , genetic testing , clinical psychology , family medicine , demography , psychology , environmental health , pathology , genetics , philosophy , linguistics , communication , sociology , anthropology , biology , computer security , computer science
This study sought to identify if differences existed in risk comprehension and risk format understanding between genetic counseling patients of Hispanic and Caucasian ethnicity. A total of 107 questionnaires were collected, 56 from Hispanic patients, and 51 from Caucasian controls. Of the total population 41.1% (44/107) could not demonstrate sufficient risk understanding, which was 71.4% (40/56) of Hispanics and 7.8% (4/51) of Caucasians. Fractions were the best‐understood format for all participants. However, both Hispanics and Caucasians had difficulties with the percentage risk format. Discrepancies were also noted in qualitative word format understanding. Awareness of differences in risk comprehension may affect the selection of counseling techniques and strategies utilized by genetic counselors when educating patients about risk related information.