Consideration of genetic counseling as a career: implications for diversifying the genetic counseling field.
Under-representation of racial/ethnic minority counselors has been an ongoing issue in the genetic counseling field. A better understanding of genetic counseling awareness and career consideration may help to increase the number of applicants to genetic counseling training programs from racial/ethnic minorities. This study sampled high school and college students (n = 233) to examine their awareness and perceptions of genetic counseling. Ethnicity, gender, parental level of education, and interest in biology were significant predictors of a subject's genetic counseling awareness; previous awareness of genetic counseling, interest in psychology, and level of education were significant predictors of whether a subject would consider genetic counseling as a career. The findings suggest that knowledge of genetic counseling is lower among racial/ethnic minorities, but that racial/ethnic minorities are just as likely to consider genetic counseling as a career. Awareness of genetic counseling prior to university education may increase racial/ethnic minority representation among potential applicants to genetic counseling training programs.
Oh
Tracey
T
Medical Genetics, Children's and Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia. toh@cw.bc.ca
Lewis
Linwood J
LJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001364:Awareness; D002321:Career Choice; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged