Sanford Health, Fargo, ND, USA.
Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
J Genet Couns. 2021 Apr;30(2):478-492. doi: 10.1002/jgc4.1334. Epub 2020 Oct 3.
Many aspects of genetic counseling training programs have been examined over the years. However, no study has explored professional or unprofessional behaviors genetic counseling graduate students experience during their training, and how these behaviors influence satisfaction with their training. This exploratory study examined students' experiences with program leaders, instructors, supervisors, and other trainees. Specific experiences included actions of favoritism, bias, negativity, abuse of power, and examples of positive role modeling. A survey was sent to all members of the National Society of Genetic Counselors and program directors in order to reach graduates of Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC)-accredited programs from 2015-2019 who were eligible to participate. Responses to questions relating to demographics, satisfaction with graduate education, behaviors experienced or seen during graduate school, and reporting of inappropriate behaviors were collected and analyzed. Results demonstrated that 95% of the genetic counseling graduates were highly satisfied with their graduate education and those who experienced inappropriate behaviors during their training were somewhat less satisfied (p = .04). Individuals who felt more prepared by their graduate education were more satisfied with their graduate education (p < .01). Being publicly embarrassed or humiliated, being made to feel like a burden in clinic, or being subjected to negative or offensive behavior based on their personal beliefs or personal characteristics (excluding areas of gender, race/ethnicity, or sexual orientation) were all negatively associated with satisfaction (all p < .04). We conclude that this survey could serve as a "Genetic Counseling Training Experiences Assessment" which could be incorporated into annual evaluations required by the ACGC. Implementation of this assessment would enhance the current evaluations of genetic counseling training programs and provide important information regarding student experiences during their training.
多年来，人们已经研究了许多遗传咨询培训计划的方面。然而，没有研究探讨过遗传咨询研究生在培训期间经历的专业或不专业行为，以及这些行为如何影响他们对培训的满意度。这项探索性研究考察了学生与项目负责人、教师、主管和其他学员的经历。具体经历包括偏袒、偏见、消极、滥用权力以及积极模范行为的例子。一项调查被发送给全国遗传咨询师协会的所有成员和认证遗传咨询师委员会（ACGC）认可计划的项目主管，以接触到 2015-2019 年期间符合条件的毕业生，他们有资格参加。收集并分析了与人口统计学、对研究生教育的满意度、在研究生期间经历或看到的行为以及报告不当行为相关的问题的回答。结果表明，95%的遗传咨询师毕业生对他们的研究生教育非常满意，而那些在培训期间经历过不当行为的人则稍不满意（p=0.04）。那些觉得自己的研究生教育更有准备的人对他们的研究生教育更满意（p<0.01）。在诊所中感到尴尬或受到羞辱，被认为是一种负担，或者因为个人信仰或个人特征而受到负面或冒犯性的行为（不包括性别、种族/民族或性取向领域），都与满意度呈负相关（所有 p<0.04）。我们的结论是，这项调查可以作为“遗传咨询培训经验评估”，可以纳入 ACGC 要求的年度评估中。实施这种评估将增强对遗传咨询培训项目的当前评估，并提供有关学生在培训期间的经验的重要信息。
