Are videoconferenced consultations as effective as... [Genet Med. 2011] - PubMed result

Genet Med. 2011 Jul 27. [Epub ahead of print]
Are videoconferenced consultations as effective as face-to-face consultations for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer genetic counseling?
Zilliacus EM, Meiser B, Lobb EA, Kelly PJ, Barlow-Stewart K, Kirk JA, Spigelman AD, Warwick LJ, Tucker KM.
SourceFrom the 1School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Randwick; 2Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick; 3Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Randwick; 4Calvary Health Care Sydney, Kogarah; 5Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney; 6Centre for Genetics Education NSW Health, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards; 7Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney; 8Familial Cancer Service, Westmead Hospital, Westmead; 9Hunter Family Cancer Service, Hunter New England Health Service, Newcastle; 10University of NSW St Vincents Clinical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; and 11ACT Genetics Service, Woden, ACT, Australia.

Abstract
PURPOSE: Videoconferencing is increasingly used to deliver family cancer services for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer to outreach areas. This study compared the effectiveness and acceptability of genetic counseling for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer through videoconferencing (hereafter referred to as "telegenetics").

METHODS: One hundred six women seen by telegenetics and 89 women seen face-to-face completed self-administered questionnaires before, and 1 month after, genetic counseling. Telegenetics consultations involved a genetic clinician via telegenetics in addition to a local genetic counselor present with the patient.

RESULTS: No significant differences were found between telegenetics and face-to-face genetic counseling in terms of knowledge gained (P = 0.55), satisfaction with the genetic counseling service (P = 0.76), cancer-specific anxiety (P = 0.13), generalized anxiety (P = 0.42), depression (P = 0.96), perceived empathy of the genetic clinician (P = 0.13), and perceived empathy of the genetic counselor (P = 0.12). Telegenetics performed significantly better than face-to-face counseling in meeting patients' expectations (P = 0.009) and promoting perceived personal control (P = 0.031).

CONCLUSION: Telegenetics seems to be an acceptable and effective method of delivering genetic counseling services for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer to underserved areas.

PMID:21799430[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Are videoconferenced consultations as effective as... [Genet Med. 2011] - PubMed result