We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Public Health Genetic Counselors: Activities, Skills, and Sources of Learning.
- Authors
McWalter, Kirsty; Sdano, Mallory; Dave, Gaurav; Powell, Karen; Callanan, Nancy
- Abstract
Specialization within genetic counseling is apparent, with 29 primary specialties listed in the National Society of Genetic Counselors' 2012 Professional Status Survey (PSS). PSS results show a steady proportion of genetic counselors primarily involved in public health, yet do not identify all those performing public health activities. Little is known about the skills needed to perform activities outside of 'traditional' genetic counselor roles and the expertise needed to execute those skills. This study aimed to identify genetic counselors engaging in public health activities, the skills used, and the most influential sources of learning for those skills. Participants ( N = 155) reported involvement in several public health categories: (a) Education of Public and/or Health Care Providers ( n = 80, 52 %), (b) Population-Based Screening Programs ( n = 70, 45 %), (c) Lobbying/Public Policy ( n = 62, 40 %), (d) Public Health Related Research ( n = 47, 30 %), and (e) State Chronic Disease Programs ( n = 12, 8 %). Regardless of category, 'on the job' was the most common primary source of learning. Genetic counseling training program was the most common secondary source of learning. Results indicate that the number of genetic counselors performing public health activities is likely higher than PSS reports, and that those who may not consider themselves 'public health genetic counselors' do participate in public health activities. Genetic counselors learn a diverse skill set in their training programs; some skills are directly applicable to public health genetics, while other public health skills require additional training and/or knowledge.
- Subjects
ABILITY; CHI-squared test; COUNSELORS; GENETIC counseling; LEARNING strategies; MEDICAL specialties &; specialists; RESEARCH funding; SURVEYS; TRAINING; PILOT projects; DATA analysis software; DESCRIPTIVE statistics
- Publication
Journal of Genetic Counseling, 2015, Vol 24, Issue 3, p438
- ISSN
1059-7700
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10897-014-9795-3