Evaluation of an Alternative Method of Providing Written Information for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer.
Abstract by
Corissa Dawn Manou
The purpose of this research project was to develop and evaluate an alternative method of written communication in the genetic counseling process for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC). This study compared a follow-up patient summary letter to a personalized information folder, containing the same information presented in a different format, given at the end of the session. Patient satisfaction with the written information, knowledge about HBOC, and communication was assessed utilizing pre and post-counseling questionnaires. Additionally, genetic counselor efficiency was evaluated. Differences between patient satisfaction, knowledge, and communication were not statistically significant between the two randomized groups (p=0.677, 0.103, 0.770 respectively). However, there was a significant difference between genetic counselor time required between the groups (p=0.011). An average of half-an-hour of genetic counselor time per initial HBOC consultation was saved by using the personalized information folder, thus making the genetic counseling process more efficient.