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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Original Research

Design and Feasibility of an Intervention to Support Cancer Genetic Counselees in Informing their At-Risk Relatives

Authors: Eveline de Geus, Willem Eijzenga, Fred H. Menko, Rolf H. Sijmons, Hanneke C. J. M. de Haes, Cora M. Aalfs, Ellen M. A. Smets

Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling | Issue 6/2016

Abstract

Cancer genetic counselees receive individualized information regarding heightened risks and medical recommendations which is also relevant for their at-risk relatives. Unfortunately, counselees often insufficiently inform these relatives. We designed an intervention aimed at improving counselees’ knowledge regarding which at-risk relatives to inform and what information to disclose, their motivation to disclose, and their self-efficacy. The intervention, offered by telephone by trained psychosocial workers, is based on the principles of Motivational Interviewing. Phase 1 of the intervention covers agenda setting, exploration, and evaluation, and phase 2 includes information provision, enhancing motivation and self-efficacy, and brainstorming for solutions to disseminate information within the family. Fidelity and acceptability of the intervention were assessed using recordings of intervention sessions and by counselee self-report. A total of 144 counselees participated. Psychosocial workers (n = 5) delivered the intervention largely as intended. Counselees highly appreciated the content of the intervention and the psychosocial workers who delivered the intervention. In the sessions, psychosocial workers provided additional and/or corrective information, and brainstorming for solutions was performed in 70 %. These results indicate that this intervention is feasible and warrants testing in clinical practice. For this, a randomized controlled trial is currently in progress to test the intervention’s efficacy.

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Title: Design and Feasibility of an Intervention to Support Cancer Genetic Counselees in Informing their At-Risk Relatives
Authors: Eveline de Geus
Willem Eijzenga
Fred H. Menko
Rolf H. Sijmons
Hanneke C. J. M. de Haes
Cora M. Aalfs
Ellen M. A. Smets
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling / Issue 6/2016
Print ISSN: 1059-7700
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3599
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-016-9948-7

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Design and Feasibility of an Intervention to Support Cancer Genetic Counselees in Informing their At-Risk Relatives

Abstract

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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