Career research interests and training of genetic counseling students.
Research is important to validate clinical services, provide information on the effectiveness of practice techniques, and develop the knowledge base of a clinical profession. Genetic counseling students from American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) accredited training programs were surveyed to determine their career research interests and interest in pursuing a hypothetical doctoral degree in genetic counseling. Genetic counseling program directors were surveyed to assess the emphasis on research training within their programs. A substantial number (46%, n = 92) of genetic counseling students are interested in performing research in their careers and many (40%, n = 80) would pursue a doctoral degree in genetic counseling if it was available. Students and directors from programs with a thesis requirement reported a significantly higher emphasis on career research preparation than those from programs without a thesis requirement. The results of this study indicate that future genetic counselors are interested in contributing to the research base that will advance the field. This study suggests a need to strengthen research training within ABGC accredited graduate programs and explore the development of a doctoral degree option in genetic counseling.
Bedard
Angela C
AC
Genetic Counseling Program, College of Allied Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA. Angela.Bedard@cchmc.org
Huether
Carl A
CA
Shooner
Kerry
K
Buncher
C Ralph
CR
Warren
Nancy Steinberg
NS
D002321:Career Choice; D004517:Education, Professional; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006801:Humans; D013334:Students