Knowledge gaps and confidence in counseling about aneuploidy screening and testing: A survey of prenatal care clinicians

Abstract

AbstractObjectivesComprehensive counseling on prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic testing is challenging for clinicians. We sought to identify baseline clinician knowledge of prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic testing and needs to promote counseling aligned with ACOG recommendations.MethodsWe performed an anonymous, cross‐sectional survey of clinicians at two unaffiliated, tertiary academic institutions to assess the knowledge of, confidence in, and time spent counseling on prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic testing. Stata (Version 17, College Station, TX) was used to perform descriptive statistics. Deductive and inductive coding was used to analyze responses regarding ideal education resources.ResultsThe survey response rate was 78% (100/129). Only 36% of respondents correctly answered knowledge questions about prenatal genetic screening and diagnostic testing. A majority, 59% (16/39), of those confident or extremely confident in counseling were unable to answer all questions accurately. Respondents reported a median of 5.6 min (95% CI 4.9–6.4 min) spent counseling. Thematic analysis of free responses revealed desire for visual tools that discuss financial costs and patient values.ConclusionsSurveyed clinicians demonstrated deficiencies in knowledge about prenatal genetic counseling. To provide better and more comprehensive care, we noted a desire for the development of formalized resources for clinician and patient education.