title: Delivery of Internet-based cancer genetic counselling services to patients' homes: a feasibility study.
abstract: We examined the feasibility of home videoconferencing for providing cancer genetic education and risk information to people at risk. Adults with possible hereditary colon or breast and ovarian cancer syndromes were offered Internet-based counselling. Participants were sent web cameras and software to install on their home PCs. They watched a prerecorded educational video and then took part in a live counselling session with a genetic counsellor. A total of 31 participants took part in Internet counselling sessions. Satisfaction with counselling was high in all domains studied, including technical (mean 4.3 on a 1-5 scale), education (mean 4.7), communication (mean 4.8), psychosocial (mean 4.1) and overall (mean 4.2). Qualitative data identified technical aspects that could be improved. All participants reported that they would recommend Internet-based counselling to others. Internet-based genetic counselling is feasible and associated with a high level of satisfaction among participants.
authors.affiliation: University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Lakeside 1200, Cleveland, OH 44106-5065, USA. neal.meropol@case.edu
authors.forename: Neal J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Meropol
authors.forename: Mary B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Daly
authors.forename: Hetal S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Vig
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Manion
authors.forename: Sharon L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Manne
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mazar
authors.forename: Camara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Solarino
authors.forename: Vadim
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zubarev
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D049269:Videoconferencing / Q000592:standards*