Author ORCID Identifier
0000-0002-4728-347X
Date of Graduation
5-2022
Document Type
Thesis (MS)
Program Affiliation
Genetic Counseling
Degree Name
Masters of Science (MS)
Advisor/Committee Chair
Myla Ashfaq
Committee Member
Brittanie Morris
Committee Member
Aranza Gonzalez Cendejas
Committee Member
David Rodriguez-Buritica
Committee Member
Barbara Harrison
Committee Member
Debra Murray
Abstract
Racial and ethnic minority patients in the United States undoubtedly suffer from inequalities in healthcare. While some studies have explored these inequalities in the field of genetic counseling specifically, research relating to genetic counseling outcomes in diverse patient populations is still limited. With the number of non-Hispanic White individuals in the United States projected to decrease by 20 million by 2060, it becomes imperative to better understand the experiences of racial and ethnic minority patients to meet their needs. Therefore, this study aimed to further describe the experiences of racial and ethnic minority patients who received genetic counseling services. In addition to investigating factors such as satisfaction and trust, this study set out to explore whether racial/ethnic concordance between patients and genetic counselors had an impact on the overall experience of patients with genetic counseling. Patients were recruited by genetic counselors at different clinics across Houston, TX. Seventeen participants completed telephone interviews. Open-ended responses to the interview questions were transcribed and analyzed by the principal investigator using inductive analysis. Overall, all participants had a positive experience with genetic counseling. Most participants expressed they trusted the genetic counselor (n=14), due to the knowledge and positive traits (e.g., patient, open, caring) exhibited by the provider. Additionally, most believed the genetic counselor was prepared to see a patient from their racial/ethnic background (n=15), either due to the training genetic counselors receive or due to race/ethnicity not being a factor at play. While racial/ethnic concordance between patient and genetic counselor did not seem to directly affect participants’ experiences, some participants identified benefits of having a concordant healthcare provider, including their ability to relate and understand more (n=5). This highlights the importance of cultural competence and cultural humility training for genetic counselors and provides additional evidence for diversifying the field.
Keywords
genetic counseling, diversity, minority, racial concordance, patient experience