Abstract
Cancer genetic counselors are uniquely trained to help patients navigate through complex information and decision making regarding hereditary cancer testing, all while providing emotional support. Effective genetic counseling in the cancer setting is vital given that information from this testing can allow patients to be proactive with their medical care. This study aimed to determine the utility of a pre-session educational form in preparing patients for what to expect from cancer genetic counseling and in increasing perceived benefits and patient satisfaction with their session. Patients referred to UMass Memorial Health for cancer genetic counseling received a recruitment notice and consent information to participate in this study via MyChart prior to their counseling session. A subset of those who enrolled were sent the pre-session educational form to review prior to seeing a genetic counselor; the remainder of those enrolled were not sent the form in order to develop a control group. Following their sessions, patients filled out an anonymous online survey to assess both their perceptions of, and satisfaction with, genetic counseling, as well as the utility of receiving the pre-session educational form. The majority of participants who read the form strongly or somewhat agreed (64.7%, n=11) that they gathered family history for their visit because they read the form, and slightly more than half strongly or somewhat agreed (52.9%, n=9) that the form gave them new information regarding their session that they would not have known otherwise. Participants who did not read the form felt that receiving instructions on gathering family history, as well as information on what a genetic test could tell a person, before a session, would have been most useful. The majority of all participants, regardless of whether or not they read the form, were extremely satisfied (93.1%, n=27) with their overall genetic counseling experience. Most participants, whether they read the form or not, were extremely or somewhat satisfied (96.6%, n=28) with the quality of information they received during their session, and nearly all strongly agreed (93.1% n=27) that information in their session was presented in a way that they could understand.