title: What information do cancer genetic counselees prioritize?
abstract: This study explored the informational needs of individuals attending genetic counseling for hereditary cancer, using a free-choice and a forced choice method. Prior to the consultation the informational needs of 334 counselees from Sweden and Norway were assessed by the QUOTE-gene (ca) questionnaire and by a study specific forced choice method, using Q-methodology. Questionnaire responses indicated that counselees' major concerns pertained to the need to be taken seriously, to be provided with sufficient risk estimation and medical/genetic information and to be involved in the decision making process. Furthermore, prior to counseling, counselees noted that the counselors' consideration and skillfulness were also extremely important. Analysis of the Q-sorting results revealed that counselees' needs could be assigned to one of five groups: the "need for facts; caring communication and medical information; information and support in communicating the genetic information to others; practical care and practical/medical information". Particularly noteworthy, counselees with varying backgrounds characteristics prioritized different needs. Cancer genetic counselees probably have different needs due to their medical and demographic background when attending genetic counseling. Addressing counselees' specific concerns more sufficiently and thereby increasing the overall effectiveness of the counseling session requires increased insight into individual needs, by for instance, utilizing screening methods such as QUOTE-gene (ca) prior to the counseling session.
authors: Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. afsaneh.roshanai@pubcare.uu.se
authors: Afsaneh
authors: A
authors: Hayat Roshanai
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Lampic
authors: Charlotta
authors: C
authors: Ingvoldstad
authors: Marie Stenmark
authors: MS
authors: Askmalm
authors: Chathrine
authors: C
authors: Bjorvatn
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Rosenquist
authors: Karin
authors: K
authors: Nordin
mesh_terms: D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D009664:Norway; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden