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Open Access 01-06-2009 | Original Research

A Systematic Review of the Impact of Genetic Counseling on Risk Perception Accuracy

Authors: Chris M. R. Smerecnik, Ilse Mesters, Eline Verweij, Nanne K. de Vries, Hein de Vries

Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling | Issue 3/2009

Abstract

This review presents an overview of the impact of genetic counseling on risk perception accuracy in papers published between January 2000 and February 2007. The results suggest that genetic counseling may have a positive impact on risk perception accuracy, though some studies observed no impact at all, or only for low-risk participants. Several implications for future research can be deduced. First, future researchers should link risk perception changes to objective risk estimates, define risk perception accuracy as the correct counseled risk estimate, and report both the proportion of individuals who correctly estimate their risk and the average overestimation of the risk. Second, as the descriptions of the counseling sessions were generally poor, future research should include more detailed description of these sessions and link their content to risk perception outcomes to allow interpretation of the results. Finally, the effect of genetic counseling should be examined for a wider variety of hereditary conditions. Genetic counselors should provide the necessary context in which counselees can understand risk information, use both verbal and numerical risk estimates to communicate personal risk information, and use visual aids when communicating numerical risk information.

Note that the numbers reported here are not consistent; that is, 58% is not a 25% increase from 42%. This inconsistency is due to the fact that all three figures are means of the raw data, which do not have the property of consistency in such calculations.

Note that the numbers reported here are not consistent; that is, 18% is not an 8% decrease from 25%. This inconsistency is due to the fact that all three figures are means of the raw data, which do not have the property of consistency in such calculations.

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Title: A Systematic Review of the Impact of Genetic Counseling on Risk Perception Accuracy
Authors: Chris M. R. Smerecnik
Ilse Mesters
Eline Verweij
Nanne K. de Vries
Hein de Vries
Publication date: 01-06-2009
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling / Issue 3/2009
Print ISSN: 1059-7700
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3599
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-008-9210-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

A Systematic Review of the Impact of Genetic Counseling on Risk Perception Accuracy

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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