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. 2022 Nov;208(5):1007-1017.
doi: 10.1097/JU.0000000000002865. Epub 2022 Aug 5.

Satisfaction With Clinician-Led Germline Genetic Counseling in Patients With Prostate Cancer

Sophia M Abusamra  1 , Marissa A Solorzano  1   2 , Mallory Luke  1   3 , Jake Quarles  4 , Michelle F Jacobs  5 , Sanjay Das  1 , Amy Kasputis  1 , Linda A Okoth  1 , Milan Patel  1 , Mariana Seymore  1 , Megan E V Caram  6 , Rodney L Dunn  7 , Sofia D Merajver  5 , Elena M Stoffel  5 , Zachery R Reichert  8 , Todd M Morgan  9
Affiliations

Satisfaction With Clinician-Led Germline Genetic Counseling in Patients With Prostate Cancer

Sophia M Abusamra et al. J Urol. 2022 Nov.

Abstract

Purpose: Indications for germline testing in prostate cancer patients have expanded substantially over the past decade. With a near-universal shortage of genetic counselors and increasing demand, increased access to genetic counseling is crucial. We sought to prospectively implement and assess a clinician-led approach to genetic counseling and testing.

Materials and methods: Patients with metastatic or localized prostate cancer meeting National Comprehensive Cancer Network® criteria for consideration of genetic testing were offered pre-test genetic counseling by their urologist or medical oncologist as part of their routine clinical care and concurrently approached for enrollment in the Germline Genetics in Prostate Cancer Study. Consented patients filled out a post-counseling survey using validated instruments to assess the quality of counseling. For patients who elected to undergo genetic testing, an additional validated questionnaire was completed following disclosure of results. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients undergoing testing, with a target >60% of patients. The secondary outcome was overall satisfaction with counseling, with a target >85% of patients.

Results: A total of 275 patients enrolled, and 203 patients elected to undergo genetic testing. Post-counseling surveys were obtained from 265 patients, and post-genetic testing surveys were obtained from 132 patients. Patient satisfaction was high, with 98% of patients reporting being satisfied with the overall quality of pre-test counseling, and 74% of patients elected to undergo genetic testing.

Conclusions: These results support the effectiveness of clinician-led genetic counseling in prostate cancer. With clinician training, this approach can be utilized to expand access to appropriate germline genetic testing.

Keywords: genetic counseling; genetic testing; germ-line mutation; patient satisfaction; prostatic neoplasms.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Statement:

Brent Hollenbeck – Elsevier (UROLOGY)

Todd Morgan – Tempus (Advisory Board), Myriad Genetics (Research Funding), Stratify Genomics (Advisory Board)

Figures

Figure I:
Figure I:
Germline Genetics in Prostate Cancer Study (GGCaPs) Consort Diagram
Figure II
Figure II
(a): Satisfaction with Genetic Counseling Scale questionnaire taken by 265 patients before genetic testing (not all patients completed all questions). GGCaPs, Germline Genetics in Prostate Cancer Study. (b): Satisfaction with Genetic Counseling Scale questionnaire taken by 265 patients before genetic testing (not all patients completed all questions)
Figure II
Figure II
(a): Satisfaction with Genetic Counseling Scale questionnaire taken by 265 patients before genetic testing (not all patients completed all questions). GGCaPs, Germline Genetics in Prostate Cancer Study. (b): Satisfaction with Genetic Counseling Scale questionnaire taken by 265 patients before genetic testing (not all patients completed all questions)
Figure III:
Figure III:
Oncogenetic Counseling Elements Questionnaire taken by 265 patients before genetic testing
Figure IV
Figure IV
(a): Modified Royal Marsden Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire taken by 132 patients after genetic testing. (b): Modified Royal Marsden Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire taken by 132 patients after genetic testing
Figure IV
Figure IV
(a): Modified Royal Marsden Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire taken by 132 patients after genetic testing. (b): Modified Royal Marsden Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire taken by 132 patients after genetic testing
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Editorial Comment.
    Greenberg S. Greenberg S. J Urol. 2022 Nov;208(5):1016. doi: 10.1097/JU.0000000000002865.01. Epub 2022 Aug 19. J Urol. 2022. PMID: 35984086 No abstract available.

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