title: Allocation of work activities in a comprehensive cancer genetics program
abstract: Hereditary cancer programs that provide risk assessment, genetic education, and counseling services are becoming increasingly common. This article describes one possible approach to providing comprehensive cancer genetics care by a credentialed genetics advanced practice nurse. In addition to the description of the program, data from a recently conducted time study are included to provide insight into work allocation of different program components. Findings from the study indicate that about 41% of the time is spent in direct clinical time with patients and families, including initial visit counseling, phone consultation, and follow-up visits. The rest of the time is spent in other indirect care activities, including previsit activities, risk calculation, clinical trials enrollment, correspondence, teaching, and administrative duties. For those developing or expanding a cancer genetics program, considering all activities that will occur and the time allocated to each activity is important.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and the School of Nursing, Saint Louis University, Missouri, USA. mahonsm@slu.edu
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0919-6444
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Mahon
mesh_terms: D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000451:nursing; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D016526:Workload