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01-08-2007 | Original Research

Successful Use of Peer Educators for Sharing Genetic Information

Authors: Vickie L. Venne, Heidi A. Hamann

Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling | Issue 4/2007

Abstract

This study examined the impact of a genetics education module provided by Reach to Recovery peer volunteers. Participants included 113 women with confirmed breast cancer diagnoses. Eighty-eight of these women (78%) completed a baseline survey, participated in a peer-led intervention, and completed a follow-up survey. Approximately half of the women received an education module that included a genetic component, while the other half did not. Results indicated that women who received the genetics module had greater increases in genetics knowledge than the group that did not receive the module. However, follow-up interest in genetic testing was not significantly different between the two groups. Results indicate that a peer-led genetics module can increase knowledge about genetics. However, it does not appear to have a differential effect on genetic testing interest.

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Title: Successful Use of Peer Educators for Sharing Genetic Information
Authors: Vickie L. Venne
Heidi A. Hamann
Publication date: 01-08-2007
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling / Issue 4/2007
Print ISSN: 1059-7700
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3599
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-007-9087-2

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