Lack of diversity in the genetic counseling profession has been a concern for over 20 years, with the National Society of Genetic Counselors identifying increasing diversity and inclusion as a strategic focus in 2019. Previous research has revealed potential barriers that could explain the low number of diverse applicants to genetic counseling graduate programs. The aims of this pilot study were to test strategies for participation and site recruitment methods for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief presentation tailored to African American students. Recruitment emails were sent to career services and 124 biology/psychology department chairs from HBCUs and one predominately white institution with over 10% black student population. There was a 16% response rate through career services and a 25% response rate from department chairs. Different sections of a single biology class at one HBCU were randomly assigned to either attend a class presentation by an African American second‐year genetic counseling student and given a brochure detailing the same information (presentation group), or receive a brochure only (brochure group). Ninety students participated in the study: 65 in the presentation group and 25 in the brochure group. All students completed a 10‐question knowledge test and were given an email address for further student‐initiated contact about genetic counseling. In the presentation group, 65% (42/65) completed the knowledge test with a mean score of 7.59/10. Only one student from the brochure group completed the knowledge test. No students initiated contact to receive additional information about genetic counseling. This study highlights the difficulties in reaching African American students, even through HBCUs. Strategies beyond the use of brochures and presentations will be necessary to attract African American students into the genetic counseling profession.

中文翻译：

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遗传咨询行业的多样性日益增加：为非裔美国大学生开发招聘工具

遗传咨询行业缺乏多样性一直是二十年来的关注点，国家遗传咨询师协会（National Society of Genetic Counselors）将增加多样性和包容性作为2019年的战略重点。以前的研究表明，潜在的障碍可能解释了多样性低的原因遗传咨询研究生课程的申请人。这项初步研究的目的是测试历史悠久的黑人大学和大学（HBCU）的参与策略和网站招募方法，并评估针对非洲裔美国学生的简短演示的有效性。招聘电子邮件从HBCU和一所主要是白人，黑人学生人口超过10％的白人机构发送到了职业服务和124位生物学/心理学部门的主席。通过职业服务获得的回应率为16％，而部门主席的回应率为25％。随机分配一个HBCU上单个生物学课程的不同部分，由一名非洲裔美国第二年级遗传咨询学生参加课程演示，并提供详细介绍相同信息的小册子（演示组），或仅接受小册子（小册子组） ）。九十名学生参加了这项研究：演讲组65名，小册子组25名。所有学生都完成了10个问题的知识测验，并获得了一个电子邮件地址，以供学生进一步发起有关遗传咨询的联系。在演讲组中，有65％（42/65）的学生完成了知识测试，平均得分为7.59 / 10。手册组中只有一名学生完成了知识测试。没有学生发起联系以获得有关遗传咨询的更多信息。这项研究凸显了即使通过HBCU也很难吸引非洲裔美国学生。为了吸引非裔美国人学生进入遗传咨询行业，除了使用小册子和演示文稿外，还必须采取其他策略。