title: Adults' perceptions of genetic counseling and genetic testing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study described the perceptions of genetic counseling and testing of adults (N = 116) attending a genetic education program. Understanding perceptions of genetic counseling, including the importance of counseling topics, will contribute to patient-focused care as clinical genetic applications for common, complex disorders evolve.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed a survey addressing: the importance of genetic counseling topics, benefits and negative effects of genetic testing, and sharing test results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Topics addressing practical information about genetic conditions were rated most important; topics involving conceptual genetic/genomic principles were rated least important. The most frequently identified benefit and negative effect of testing were prevention/early detection/treatment and psychological distress. Participants perceived that they were more likely to share test results with first-degree than other relatives.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest providing patients with practical information about genetic testing and genetic contributions to disease, while also determining whether their self-care abilities would be enhanced by teaching genetic/genomic principles.
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Nursing, 985330 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5330, USA. Electronic address: jhoufek@unmc.edu.
authors.forename: Julia Fisco
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Houfek
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine, 985520 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5520, USA. Electronic address: bvaughan@unmc.edu.
authors.forename: Brigette S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Soltis-Vaughan
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Nursing and Public Health, 984355 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-4355, USA. Electronic address: atwoodj@comcast.net.
authors.forename: Jan R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Atwood
authors.affiliation: University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Medicine, 985520 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-5520, USA. Electronic address: greiser@unmc.edu.
authors.forename: Gwendolyn M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Reiser
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Genetics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital Slot 512-22, Little Rock, AR 72211, USA. Electronic address: SchaeferGB@uams.edu.
authors.forename: G Bradley
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Schaefer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000523:psychology*; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Genetic knowledge; Genetic testing; Genetics; Patient education