Participants’ (N = 21) self-reported confidence in their ability to carry out core clinical genetics competencies in clinical practice, baseline questionnaire [Q1] versus follow-up questionnaire [Q3]: Confidence was rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = low confidence; 5 = high confidence).
| Q1 | Q3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QUESTIONS* | MEAN (SD) | MEDIAN (RANGE) | MEAN (SD) | MEDIAN (RANGE) | P VALUE (WILCOXON SIGNED RANK TEST) |
| Indicate how confident you are in your ability to carry out each of the following: | |||||
| •Elicit genetic information as part of a family or medical history | 3.6 (1.1) | 4 (2–5) | 3.8 (0.7) | 4 (3–5) | .248 |
| •Assess risk of hereditary disorders | 2.9 (1.0) | 3 (1–5) | 3.5 (0.8) | 3.5 (2–5) | .033† |
| •Decide who should be offered referral for genetic counseling or testing based on family history | 2.7 (0.7) | 3 (2–4) | 3.5 (0.6) | 3 (3–5) | .033† |
| •Order genetic testing for hereditary cancer or adult-onset disease | 1.8 (0.8) | 2 (1–4) | 2.3 (0.9) | 2 (1–4) | .102 |
| •Discuss a variety of prenatal testing options with your patients | 3.7 (1.3) | 4 (1–5) | 4.0 (1.1) | 4 (2–5) | .034† |
| •Evaluate the clinical usefulness of a genetic test | 3.0 (0.8) | 3 (2–4) | 3.3 (0.8) | 3 (2–4) | .130 |
| •Discuss the benefits, risks, and limitations of genetic testing | 3.0 (0.8) | 3 (2–4) | 3.4 (0.9) | 4 (2–5) | .033† |
| •Provide counseling to patients making decisions about whether or not to have genetic testing | 3.1 (0.9) | 3 (2–4) | 3.4 (1.1) | 4 (1–5) | .237 |
| •Provide psychosocial support to patients coping with a genetic test result | 3.6 (1.0) | 4 (2–5) | 3.7 (0.9) | 3 (2–5) | .637 |
| •Provide counseling related to screening, lifestyle changes, or surveillance strategies indicated by a genetic test result | 3.0 (1.2) | 3 (1–5) | 3.3 (1.3) | 3 (1–5) | .484 |
| •Describe what to expect at a genetic counseling session | 2.9 (1.1) | 3 (1–5) | 3.5 (1.1) | 3 (1–5) | .022 |
| Overall, rate your current level of confidence in the following: | |||||
| •Prenatal genetics | 3.4 (1.1) | 4 (2–5) | 3.6 (1.1) | 3.5 (2–5) | .655 |
| •Genetics of adult-onset disorders | 2.3 (0.7) | 2 (1–4) | 3.0 (0.9) | 3 (1–4) | .005† |