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JU INSIGHT: Satisfaction With Clinician-led Germline Genetic Counseling in Patients With Prostate Cancer

By: Sophia M. Abusamra, BA; Marissa A. Solorzano, BA; Mallory Luke, BA; Jake Quarles, BA; Michelle F. Jacobs, MS, CGC; Sanjay Das, BA; Amy Kasputis, BA; Linda A. Okoth, MPH; Milan Patel, MD; Mariana Seymore, BA; Megan E. V. Caram, MD; Rodney L. Dunn, MS; Sofia D. Merajver, MD, PhD; Elena M. Stoffel, MD, MPH; Zachery R. Reichert, MD, PhD; Todd M. Morgan, MD | Posted on: 01 Nov 2022

Abusamra SM, Solorzano MA, Luke M, et al. Satisfaction with clinician-led germline genetic counseling in patients with prostate cancer. J Urol. 2022;208(5):1007-1017.

Study Need and Importance

Indications for germline genetic testing for patients with prostate cancer have expanded substantially over the past decade. With a near-universal shortage of clinical genetic counselors and growing demand, increased access to genetic counseling is crucial. Thus, we sought to prospectively implement and assess a clinician-led approach to genetic counseling and testing in patients with prostate cancer.

Figure. Satisfaction with Genetic Counseling Scale questionnaire taken by 265 patients before genetic testing.

What We Found

We found that patient satisfaction with this clinician-led approach to genetic counseling and testing was high, with 98% of patients reporting being satisfied with the overall quality of pre-test counseling (see Figure), and 74% of patients electing to undergo genetic testing. These results support the viability and effectiveness of a clinician-led approach to genetic counseling for patients with prostate cancer.

Limitations

Some limitations of the study include the enrollment of predominantly White individuals and participants receiving counseling from the clinicians who were also managing their prostate cancer, which could bias responses. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic required a shift to mailing surveys to many patients, resulting in decreased response rates for post-genetic test survey completion.

Interpretation for Patient Care

Genetic education and testing for prostate cancer patients can be effectively led by clinicians, allowing for a high proportion of patients to proceed with testing and resulting in an efficient process for patients. With clinician training, this approach can be utilized to expand access to appropriate germline genetic testing for patients with prostate cancer.

Acknowledgments

We thank the collaborators who have made significant contributions to this work, including Samuel Kaffenberger, MD; Simpa S. Salami, MD, MPH; Randy Vince Jr, MD; Nancy Rodriguez-Galano, NP; LaShon Day, PA-C; Gena Grube, NP; Brent K. Hollenbeck, MD; and Ganesh S. Palapattu, MD, Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Phillip Palmbos, MD, PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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