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The following is a summary of “Online Screening and Virtual Patient Education for Hereditary Cancer Risk Assessment and Testing,” published in the December 2024 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology by Waldman et al.
Online patient screening tools and virtual education improved the identification of individuals eligible for hereditary cancer risk assessment, increased genetic literacy, and enhanced genetic testing completion rates.
Researchers conducted a prospective study to evaluate the impact of online tools on hereditary cancer risk assessment and genetic testing completion.
They conducted a single-arm study at 5 U.S. obstetrics and gynecology practices. Health care professionals completed 8 weeks of observation and 3–4 weeks of training on online screening and virtual education (prerecorded video with or without a genetic counselor phone call). Data collected 8 weeks after the intervention were compared with pre-intervention metrics using univariate conditional logistic regression models stratified by site.
The results showed that the proportion of individuals screened and meeting genetic testing guidelines increased from 21.6% to 28.2% (OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.26–1.47, P<.001). Individuals eligible based on guidelines were more likely to be offered genetic testing (59.1% before the intervention vs. 89.1% after, OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.87–2.27, P<.001), provide samples for testing (32.9% before vs. 45.0% after, OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.27–1.74, P<.001), and complete testing (16.0% before vs. 34.2% after, OR 2.38, 95% CI 2.00–2.83, P<.001). Most healthcare professionals (92.1%) agreed that the screening tool improved the identification of individuals meeting guidelines. Most individuals receiving virtual education agreed this improved their understanding of genetic testing, including the purpose (91.7%) and implications (92.6%).
They concluded that online screening tools and virtual education improved hereditary cancer risk identification, increased genetic literacy, and raised genetic testing completion rates.
