title: Interactive genetic counseling role-play: a novel educational strategy for family physicians.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Family physicians (FPs) are increasingly involved in delivering genetic services. Familiarization with aspects of genetic counseling may enable FPs to help patients make informed choices.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Exploration of interactive role-play as a means to raise FPs' awareness of the process and content of genetic counseling.
  
  
  METHODS
  FPs attending two large Canadian family medicine conferences in 2005 were eligible -- 93 participated. FPs discussed a case during a one-on-one session with a genetic counselor. Evaluation involved pre and post intervention questionnaires
  
  
  RESULTS
  FPs' baseline genetic knowledge was self-rated as uniformly poor. Baseline confidence was highest in eliciting family history and providing psychosocial support and lowest in discussing risks/benefits of genetic testing and counseling process. Post-intervention, 80% of FPs had better appreciation of family history and 97% indicated this was an effective learning experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Role-play with FPs is effective in raising awareness of the process and content of genetic counseling and may be applied to other health disciplines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. blaines@sympatico.ca
authors.forename: Sean M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Blaine
authors.forename: June C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.forename: Andrea L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Rideout
authors.forename: Gord
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Glendon
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Meschino
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shuman
authors.forename: Deanna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Telner
authors.forename: Natasha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Van Iderstine
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Permaul
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002170:Canada; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D005820:Genetic Testing; D005826:Genetics, Medical / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017145:Models, Educational; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012381:Role Playing