title: Role-playing is an effective instructional strategy for genetic counseling training: an investigation and comparative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Genetic diseases represent a significant public health challenge in China that will need to be addressed by a correspondingly large number of professional genetic counselors. However, neither an official training program for genetic counseling, nor formal board certification, was available in China before 2015. In 2009, a genetic counseling training program based on role-playing was implemented as a pilot study at the Third Military Medical University to train third-year medical students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires on participant attitudes to the program and role-playing were randomly administered to 324 students after they had finished their training. Pre- and post-training instructional tests, focusing on 42 key components of genetic counseling, were administered randomly to 200 participants to assess mastery of each component. Finally, scores in final examinations of 578 participants from 2009 to 2011 were compared to scores obtained by 614 non-participating students from 2006 to 2008 to further assess program efficacy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both the training program and the instructional strategy of role-playing were accepted by most participants. Students believed that role-playing improved their practice of genetic counseling and medical genetics, enhanced their communication skills, and would likely contribute to future professional performance. The average understanding of 40 of the key points in genetic counseling was significantly improved, and most students approached excellent levels of mastery. Scores in final examinations and the percentages of students scoring above 90 were also significantly elevated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Role-playing is a feasible and effective instructional strategy for training genetic counselors in China as well as in other developing countries.
authors: Department of Medical Genetics, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, People's Republic of China.
authors: Xiao-Feng
authors: XF
authors: Xu
authors: Department of Medical Genetics, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, People's Republic of China.
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Medical Genetics, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, People's Republic of China.
authors: Yan-Yan
authors: YY
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, People's Republic of China.
authors: Ming
authors: M
authors: Song
authors: College of Basic Medical Sciences, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, People's Republic of China.
authors: Wen-Gang
authors: WG
authors: Xiao
authors: Department of Medical Genetics, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, People's Republic of China. baiyungene@126.com.
authors: Yun
authors: Y
authors: Bai
mesh_terms: D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003376:Counseling / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011361:Professional Competence; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012381:Role Playing; D013337:Students, Medical
keywords: Educational and training program; Genetic counseling; Medical curricula; Role-playing