Author ORCID Identifier
0000-0003-3898-5688
Date of Graduation
5-2023
Document Type
Thesis (MS)
Program Affiliation
Genetic Counseling
Degree Name
Masters of Science (MS)
Advisor/Committee Chair
Aranza Gonzalez Cendejas, MS, CGC
Committee Member
Blair K. Stevens, MS, CGC
Committee Member
Meagan Choates, MS, CGC
Committee Member
Syed Hashmi, MD, MPH, PhD
Committee Member
Luana Goulet, MS, CGC
Abstract
As recommendations for prenatal genetic screening are expanded to include patients with pregnancies at low risk for aneuploidy, there is a need to develop accessible mechanisms to promote informed decision-making about genetic screening. The use of patient decision aids has been shown to promote informed decision-making. UTHealth Houston has developed and implemented an online module for pre-test triage for genetic counseling and education of low-risk pregnant patients about genetic screening, called the Prenatal Genetic Education Program (PGEP).
Here, through a retrospective chart review, we characterize the use of PGEP to triage previously presumed low-risk patients to genetic counseling, and whether patients follow-up with genetic counseling appointments when indicated. Additionally, we describe the prenatal genetic screening decisions facilitated through the PGEP module, factors associated with such decisions, and whether or how those decisions change following a subsequent genetic counseling appointment. This study will aid genetic counselors' optimization of the PGEP module and identification of variables that affect patient decisions about prenatal genetic screening.
Keywords
Decision aid, prenatal screening, online module, NIPT, carrier screening, genetic counseling