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Vuocolo B, Sierra R, Brooks D, Holder C, Urbanski L, Rodriguez K, Gamez JD, Mulukutla SN, Berry L, Hernandez A, Allegre A, Hidalgo H, Rodriguez S, Magallan S, Gibson J, Bernini JC, Watson M, Nelson R, Mellin-Sanchez L, Dai H, Soler-Alfonso C, Carter K, Lee B, Lalani SR. Reducing Time to Diagnosis of Rare Genetic Diseases in a Medically Underserved Hispanic Population- Lessons Learned for Meaningful Engagement. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3699740. [PMID: 38168160 PMCID: PMC10760238 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3699740/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Background The utilization of genomic information to improve health outcomes is progressively becoming more common in clinical practice. Nonetheless, disparities persist in accessing genetic services among ethnic minorities, individuals with low socioeconomic status, and other vulnerable populations. The Rio Grande Valley at the Texas-Mexico border is predominantly Hispanic with a high poverty rate and an increased prevalence of birth defects, with very limited access to genetics services. The cost of a diagnosis is often times out of reach for these underserved families. Funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), Project GIVE (Genetic Inclusion by Virtual Evaluation) was launched in 2022 to shorten the time to diagnosis and alleviate healthcare inequities in this region, with the goal of improving pediatric health outcomes. Methods Utilizing Consultagene, an innovative electronic health record (EHR) agnostic virtual telehealth and educational platform, we designed the study to recruit 100 children with rare diseases over a period of two years from this region, through peer-to-peer consultation and referral. Conclusions Project GIVE study has allowed advanced genetic evaluation and delivery of genome sequencing through the virtual portal, effectively circumventing the recognized socioeconomic and other barriers within this population. This paper explores the successful community engagement process and implementation of an alternate genomics evaluation platform and testing approach, aiming to reduce the diagnostic journey for individuals with rare diseases residing in a medically underserved region.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lori Berry
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
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Suckiel SA, Kelly NR, Odgis JA, Gallagher KM, Sebastin M, Bonini KE, Marathe PN, Brown K, Di Biase M, Ramos MA, Rodriguez JE, Scarimbolo L, Insel BJ, Ferar KD, Zinberg RE, Diaz GA, Greally JM, Abul-Husn NS, Bauman LJ, Gelb BD, Horowitz CR, Wasserstein MP, Kenny EE. The NYCKidSeq randomized controlled trial: Impact of GUÍA digitally enhanced genetic counseling in racially and ethnically diverse families. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.07.05.23292193. [PMID: 37461450 PMCID: PMC10350148 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.05.23292193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Background Digital solutions are needed to support rapid increases in the application of genetic and genomic tests (GT) in diverse clinical settings and patient populations. We developed GUÍA, a bi-lingual web-based platform that facilitates disclosure of GT results. The NYCKidSeq randomized controlled trial evaluated GUÍA's impact on understanding of GT results. Methods NYCKidSeq enrolled diverse children with neurologic, cardiac, and immunologic conditions who underwent GT. Families were randomized to genetic counseling with GUÍA (intervention) or standard of care (SOC) genetic counseling for results disclosure. Parents/legal guardians (participants) completed surveys at baseline, post-results disclosure, and 6-months later. Survey measures assessed the primary study outcomes of perceived understanding of and confidence in explaining their child's GT results and the secondary outcome of objective understanding. We used regression models to evaluate the association between the intervention and the study outcomes. Results The analysis included 551 participants, 270 in the GUÍA arm and 281 in SOC. Participants' mean age was 41.1 years and 88.6% were mothers. Most participants were Hispanic/Latino(a) (46.3%), White/European American (24.5%), or Black/African American (15.8%). Participants in the GUÍA arm had significantly higher perceived understanding post-results (OR=2.8, CI[1.004,7.617], P=0.049) and maintained higher objective understanding over time (OR=1.1, CI[1.004, 1.127], P=0.038) compared to those in the SOC arm. There was no impact on perceived confidence. Hispanic/Latino(a) individuals in the GUÍA arm maintained higher perceived understanding (OR=3.9, CI[1.6, 9.3], P=0.003), confidence (OR=2.7, CI[1.021, 7.277], P=0.046), and objective understanding (OR=1.1, CI[1.009, 1.212], P=0.032) compared to SOC . Conclusions This trial demonstrates that GUÍA positively impacts understanding of GT results in diverse parents of children with suspected genetic conditions. These findings build a case for utilizing GUÍA to deliver complex and often ambiguous genetic results. Continued development and evaluation of digital applications in diverse populations are critical for equitably scaling GT offerings in specialty clinics. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT03738098.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina A. Suckiel
- Institute for Genomic Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Nicole R. Kelly
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Genetic Medicine, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore/Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Jacqueline A. Odgis
- Institute for Genomic Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Katie M. Gallagher
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Genetic Medicine, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore/Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Monisha Sebastin
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Genetic Medicine, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore/Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Katherine E. Bonini
- Institute for Genomic Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Priya N. Marathe
- Institute for Genomic Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Kaitlyn Brown
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Genetic Medicine, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore/Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Miranda Di Biase
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Genetic Medicine, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore/Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Michelle A. Ramos
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Institute for Health Equity Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Jessica E. Rodriguez
- Institute for Genomic Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Laura Scarimbolo
- Institute for Genomic Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Beverly J. Insel
- Institute for Genomic Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Kathleen D.M. Ferar
- Institute for Genomic Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Randi E. Zinberg
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - George A. Diaz
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - John M. Greally
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Genetic Medicine, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore/Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Noura S. Abul-Husn
- Institute for Genomic Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Laurie J. Bauman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Bruce D. Gelb
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
- Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Carol R. Horowitz
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Institute for Health Equity Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | - Melissa P. Wasserstein
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Genetic Medicine, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore/Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
| | - Eimear E. Kenny
- Institute for Genomic Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
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Burke W, Parens E, Chung WK, Berger SM, Appelbaum PS. The Challenge of Genetic Variants of Uncertain Clinical Significance : A Narrative Review. Ann Intern Med 2022; 175:994-1000. [PMID: 35436152 PMCID: PMC10555957 DOI: 10.7326/m21-4109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic tests expand diagnostic and screening opportunities but also identify genetic variants of uncertain clinical significance (VUSs). Only a minority of VUSs are likely to prove pathogenic when later reassessed, but resolution of the uncertainty is rarely timely. That uncertainty adds complexity to clinical decision making and can result in harms and costs to patients and the health care system, including the time-consuming analysis required to interpret a VUS and the potential for unnecessary treatment and adverse psychological effects. Current efforts to improve variant interpretation will help reduce the scope of the problem, but the high prevalence of rare and novel variants in the human genome points to VUSs as an ongoing challenge. Additional strategies can help mitigate the potential harms of VUSs, including testing protocols that limit identification or reporting of VUSs, subclassification of VUSs according to the likelihood of pathogenicity, routine family-based evaluation of variants, and enhanced counseling efforts. All involve tradeoffs, and the appropriate balance of measures is likely to vary for different test uses and clinical settings. Cross-specialty deliberation and public input could contribute to systematic and broadly supported policies for managing VUSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wylie Burke
- Department of Bioethics and Humanities, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Wendy K. Chung
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sara M. Berger
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Paul S. Appelbaum
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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Napier CE, Davies G, Butow PN, Schlub TE, Best MC, Bartley N, Juraskova I, Meiser B, Tucker KM, Biesecker BB, Thomas DM, Ballinger ML. Cancer patient knowledge about and behavioral intentions after germline genome sequencing. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2022; 105:707-718. [PMID: 34247865 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Germline genome sequencing (GS) is becoming mainstream in cancer diagnosis and risk management. Identifying knowledge gaps and determinants of health behavior change intentions will enable effective targeting of educational and management strategies to translate genomic findings into improved cancer outcomes. METHODS Probands diagnosed with cancer of likely genetic origin that consented to but not yet undergone GS, and their biological relatives, completed a cross-sectional questionnaire assessing GS knowledge and hypothetical intention to change behaviors. RESULTS Probands (n = 348; 57% university educated) and relatives (n = 213; 38% university educated) had moderate GS knowledge levels, with greater knowledge associated with higher education. Both populations reported high behavioral change intentions, significantly associated with being female (p = 0.01) and greater perceived importance of GS (p < 0.001), and for probands: being from English-speaking households (p = 0.003), higher socio-economic status (p = 0.01) and greater self-efficacy (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Increasing GS knowledge will enable realistic participant expectations surrounding germline GS. Actual behavior change should be monitored to determine whether increased cancer risk knowledge results in altered cancer-related behavior and ultimately, cancer outcomes. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Educational resources should target specific populations to ensure informed decision-making and expectation management. Support tools facilitating and maintaining behavioral change may be needed to achieve improved cancer patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine E Napier
- Cancer Theme, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Australia
| | - Grace Davies
- The University of Sydney, School of Psychology, Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), Sydney, Australia
| | - Phyllis N Butow
- The University of Sydney, School of Psychology, Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), Sydney, Australia; The University of Sydney, School of Psychology, Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), Sydney, Australia
| | - Timothy E Schlub
- The University of Sydney, Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Megan C Best
- The University of Sydney, School of Psychology, Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), Sydney, Australia; University of Notre Dame Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nicci Bartley
- The University of Sydney, School of Psychology, Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), Sydney, Australia
| | - Ilona Juraskova
- The University of Sydney, School of Psychology, Psycho-Oncology Co-operative Research Group (PoCoG), Sydney, Australia; The University of Sydney, School of Psychology, Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making (CeMPED), Sydney, Australia
| | - Bettina Meiser
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Katherine M Tucker
- Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Hereditary Cancer Clinic, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Australia
| | - Barbara B Biesecker
- Newborn Screening, Ethics and Disability Studies, RTI International, Washington, DC, USA
| | - David M Thomas
- Cancer Theme, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mandy L Ballinger
- Cancer Theme, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Australia; St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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Amendola LM, Golden-Grant K, Scollon S. Scaling Genetic Counseling in the Genomics Era. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet 2021; 22:339-355. [PMID: 33722076 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genom-110320-121752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The development of massively parallel sequencing-based genomic sequencing tests has increased genetic test availability and access. The field and practice of genetic counseling have adapted in response to this paradigm-shifting technology and the subsequent transition to practicing genomic medicine. While the key elements defining genetic counseling remain relevant, genetic counseling service delivery models and practice settings have evolved. Genetic counselors are addressing the challenges of direct-to-consumer and consumer-driven genetic testing, and genetic counseling training programs are responding to the ongoing increased demand for genetic counseling services across a broadening range of contexts. The need to diversify both the patient and participant groups with access to genetic information, as well as the field of genetic counseling, is at the forefront of research and training program initiatives. Genetic counselors are key stakeholders in the genomics era, and their contributions are essential to effectively and equitably deliver precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Amendola
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA; ,
| | - Katie Golden-Grant
- Department of Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA; ,
| | - Sarah Scollon
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA;
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