Recent Data from C. Wagner and Co-Authors Highlight Findings in Genetic Counseling (Genesurance Counseling: Patient Perspectives)

Genomics & Genetics Weekly

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Genomics & Genetics Weekly -- New research on Genetic Counseling is the subject of a report. According to news originating from Houston, Texas, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, "Genetic counselors (GCs) have reported an increase in discussion of insurance-related, or 'genesurance,' topics during genetic counseling sessions. Despite increasing frequency, there have been no studies examining patient expectations of GCs in these discussions."

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research, "This study aimed to explore patient expectations of GCs in these discussions, as well as examine factors that may impact expectations. A 38-item survey was administered prior to patients receiving prenatal or cancer genetic counseling at 11 clinic sites across UTHealth, Baylor College of Medicine, and Sanford Health, with 360 responses analyzed. Key variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis, and multivariate logistic regression to assess associations between factors and control for potential confounders. Over 75% of patients expected GCs to discuss genesurance topics during a genetic counseling session. The majority of patients (78%) expected GCs to provide an estimated out-of-pocket cost, know if a test is a covered benefit (77%), and provide referral information for further questions (76%). Two additional expectations, considered to be unrealistic in most clinical settings, included expecting GCs to know the patient's specific insurance plan and coverage information (57%) and provide an exact out-of-pocket cost (41%). Ethnicity was the only significant predictor of response for these two expectations, as African Americans and Hispanics were more likely than Caucasians to have these beliefs. While the patient participants felt that GCs were primarily responsible for initiating these conversations, they also reported a personal sense of responsibility for raising questions. This study demonstrates that patients may expect GCs to address genesurance topics in a genetic counseling session, with specific expectations about the cost and coverage of genetic tests."

According to the news editors, the research concluded: "Further studies will establish the most effective way to communicate this information to patients and examine whether and where within the scope of GC practice, genesurance discussions fall."

For more information on this research see: Genesurance Counseling: Patient Perspectives. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 2018;27(4):814-822. Journal of Genetic Counseling can be contacted at: Springer, 233 Spring St, New York, NY 10013, USA. (Springer - www.springer.com; Journal of Genetic Counseling - www.springerlink.com/content/1059-7700/)

The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from C. Wagner, UTHealth, McGovern Med Sch, Dept. of Obstet Gynecol & Reprod Sci, Houston, TX 77030, United States. Additional authors for this research include L. Murphy, J. Harkenrider, S. Darilek, E. Soto-Torres, Q. Stein and J. Hoskovec (see also Genetic Counseling).

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-018-0211-2. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

Keywords for this news article include: Houston, Texas, United States, North and Central America, Health and Medicine, Genetic Counseling, Genetics.