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Randomized Trial of Telegenetics vs. In-Person Cancer Genetic Counseling: Cost, Patient Satisfaction and Attendance.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Buchanan, AH; Datta, SK; Skinner, CS; Hollowell, GP; Beresford, HF; Freeland, T; Rogers, B; Boling, J; Marcom, PK; Adams, MB
Published in: J Genet Couns
December 2015

Telegenetics-genetic counseling via live videoconferencing-can improve access to cancer genetic counseling (CGC) in underserved areas, but studies on cancer telegenetics have not applied randomized methodology or assessed cost. We report cost, patient satisfaction and CGC attendance from a randomized trial comparing telegenetics with in-person CGC among individuals referred to CGC in four rural oncology clinics. Participants (n = 162) were randomized to receive CGC at their local oncology clinic in-person or via telegenetics. Cost analyses included telegenetics system; mileage; and personnel costs for genetic counselor, IT specialist, and clinic personnel. CGC attendance was tracked via study database. Patient satisfaction was assessed 1 week post-CGC via telephone survey using validated scales. Total costs were $106 per telegenetics patient and $244 per in-person patient. Patient satisfaction did not differ by group on either satisfaction scale. In-person patients were significantly more likely to attend CGC than telegenetics patients (89 vs. 79 %, p = 0.03), with bivariate analyses showing an association between lesser computer comfort and lower attendance rate (Chi-square = 5.49, p = 0.02). Our randomized trial of telegenetics vs. in-person counseling found that telegenetics cost less than in-person counseling, with high satisfaction among those who attended. This study provides support for future randomized trials comparing multiple service delivery models on longer-term psychosocial and behavioral outcomes.

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Published In

J Genet Couns

DOI

EISSN

1573-3599

Publication Date

December 2015

Volume

24

Issue

6

Start / End Page

961 / 970

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Telemedicine
  • Rural Health Services
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Neoplasms
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Genetics & Heredity
  • Genetic Testing
  • Genetic Counseling
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
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Buchanan, A. H., Datta, S. K., Skinner, C. S., Hollowell, G. P., Beresford, H. F., Freeland, T., … Adams, M. B. (2015). Randomized Trial of Telegenetics vs. In-Person Cancer Genetic Counseling: Cost, Patient Satisfaction and Attendance. J Genet Couns, 24(6), 961–970. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-015-9836-6
Buchanan, Adam H., Santanu K. Datta, Celette Sugg Skinner, Gail P. Hollowell, Henry F. Beresford, Thomas Freeland, Benjamin Rogers, John Boling, P Kelly Marcom, and Martha B. Adams. “Randomized Trial of Telegenetics vs. In-Person Cancer Genetic Counseling: Cost, Patient Satisfaction and Attendance.J Genet Couns 24, no. 6 (December 2015): 961–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-015-9836-6.
Buchanan AH, Datta SK, Skinner CS, Hollowell GP, Beresford HF, Freeland T, et al. Randomized Trial of Telegenetics vs. In-Person Cancer Genetic Counseling: Cost, Patient Satisfaction and Attendance. J Genet Couns. 2015 Dec;24(6):961–70.
Buchanan, Adam H., et al. “Randomized Trial of Telegenetics vs. In-Person Cancer Genetic Counseling: Cost, Patient Satisfaction and Attendance.J Genet Couns, vol. 24, no. 6, Dec. 2015, pp. 961–70. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s10897-015-9836-6.
Buchanan AH, Datta SK, Skinner CS, Hollowell GP, Beresford HF, Freeland T, Rogers B, Boling J, Marcom PK, Adams MB. Randomized Trial of Telegenetics vs. In-Person Cancer Genetic Counseling: Cost, Patient Satisfaction and Attendance. J Genet Couns. 2015 Dec;24(6):961–970.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Genet Couns

DOI

EISSN

1573-3599

Publication Date

December 2015

Volume

24

Issue

6

Start / End Page

961 / 970

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Telemedicine
  • Rural Health Services
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Neoplasms
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Genetics & Heredity
  • Genetic Testing
  • Genetic Counseling