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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Exploring Motivational Factors To Pursue Genetic Counseling And Testing In Adolescent And Young Adult Cancer Patients, Megan Morand May 2021

Exploring Motivational Factors To Pursue Genetic Counseling And Testing In Adolescent And Young Adult Cancer Patients, Megan Morand

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients face a unique set of challenges when navigating cancer treatment and survivorship. For many patient populations, motivational factors to pursue genetic counseling/testing have been described, but these motivational factors in AYA cancer patients have yet to be explored. The goal of this study was to describe AYA cancer patients’ decision-making process, including motivational factors and barriers as it relates to genetic counseling/testing. We conducted a qualitative study consisting of semi-structured interviews with 30 individuals from the AYA Program at MD Anderson Cancer Center who attended or were referred to a genetic counseling appointment. …


Evaluating Insurance Approval Rates Of Exome Sequencing And Its Effect On Minority Patients' Access To Genetic Care, Katlyn Frane May 2021

Evaluating Insurance Approval Rates Of Exome Sequencing And Its Effect On Minority Patients' Access To Genetic Care, Katlyn Frane

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Exome sequencing (ES) is often a standard step in the genetic testing process for patients with rare or complex disease. Despite clinical implementation of ES, insurance companies (payers) continue to deny this test. We investigated if the payer barrier is influenced by payer type, and if other demographic or clinical information correlated to ES approval and obtainment. To do this, a retrospective chart and clinical database review was completed on patients seen at a tertiary care center and community-based clinic. Patient demographics, clinical indications, and testing recommendations and outcomes were used to assess ES approval and obtainment. We found that …


Investigating Barriers Experienced By Underrepresented Minorities In Becoming A Competitive Genetic Counseling Applicant, Katie Huang May 2021

Investigating Barriers Experienced By Underrepresented Minorities In Becoming A Competitive Genetic Counseling Applicant, Katie Huang

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Representation for both racial/ethnic and gender identity minorities in genetic counseling (GC) remains the lowest among similar healthcare professions. Barriers that underrepresented minority (URM) individuals face in becoming a competitive GC applicant have not yet been described. Academic capital (AC) is a theoretical framework describing the social processes necessary for individuals to navigate and succeed in higher education. This study aimed to characterize barriers experienced by applicants who self-identify as underrepresented and to explore how AC could identify areas for intervention. Prospective GC applicants for the 2021/2022 cycles were recruited to complete an anonymous online survey in Qualtrics through a …