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Table 4 Genetic Counseling Outline

From: MAGENTA (Making Genetic testing accessible): a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing online genetic education and telephone genetic counseling for hereditary cancer genetic testing

Pre-Test Genetic Counseling

• Review/verification of the family history provided in the online survey

• Review the basics of hereditary cancer (incidence, inheritance pattern, define genes & mutations)

• Review the benefits and limitations of genetic testing

• Briefly review the cancer risks

• Review result possibilities and their implications

• Briefly discuss the benefits and limitations of GINA

• Confirm that participant would like to move forward with testing

• Assess for distress throughout the session using psychosocial training.

• Documentation of the session and amount of time spent on the phone

Post-Test Genetic Counseling

• Verify the participant’s continued interest in receiving genetic test results and encourage them to follow along with their results online

• Provide genetic test results

• Review implications of test results for the participant and family members

• Assess the response of individual to the information provided

• Allow time for questions or voicing of concerns

• Provide phone number for contact if needed and information for local GC

• Assess for distress throughout the session using psychosocial training.

• Document the session and the amount of time spent on the phone