Which parts of genetic counseling help patients most
Genetic Counseling Processes Result in Outcomes (GC-PRO) Study
This project looks at which parts of genetic counseling sessions help people feel informed, supported, and able to make decisions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11175367 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would have your genetic counseling session audio-recorded while a practical checklist is used to note what the counselor says and does and how long different parts take. After the session you would complete short surveys about your experience, how empowered and informed you feel, your decisional and informational needs, and whether you felt overloaded. The researchers will compare patterns across counselors and specialties to find which combinations of actions consistently lead to better patient experiences. Those findings will be used to recommend ways to make counseling more effective and efficient in real clinics.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults scheduled for genetic counseling for cancer or other inherited conditions who are willing to have their session audio-recorded and complete brief surveys.
Not a fit: People who are not receiving genetic counseling or who decline recording or survey participation would not directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could make genetic counseling more helpful and quicker so patients understand risks better and make decisions with less stress.
How similar studies have performed: This large, cross-specialty approach is relatively new—previous work has been smaller or limited to single specialties, so the systematic linking of counseling processes to patient outcomes is novel.
Where this research is happening
Minneapolis, United States
- University of Minnesota — Minneapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zierhut, Heather — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Zierhut, Heather
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.