Many aspects of genetic counseling training programs have been examined over the years. However, no study has explored professional or unprofessional behaviors genetic counseling graduate students experience during their training, and how these behaviors influence satisfaction with their training. This exploratory study examined students’ experiences with program leaders, instructors, supervisors, and other trainees. Specific experiences included actions of favoritism, bias, negativity, abuse of power, and examples of positive role modeling. A survey was sent to all members of the National Society of Genetic Counselors and program directors in order to reach graduates of Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling (ACGC)‐accredited programs from 2015–2019 who were eligible to participate. Responses to questions relating to demographics, satisfaction with graduate education, behaviors experienced or seen during graduate school, and reporting of inappropriate behaviors were collected and analyzed. Results demonstrated that 95% of the genetic counseling graduates were highly satisfied with their graduate education and those who experienced inappropriate behaviors during their training were somewhat less satisfied (p = .04). Individuals who felt more prepared by their graduate education were more satisfied with their graduate education (p < .01). Being publicly embarrassed or humiliated, being made to feel like a burden in clinic, or being subjected to negative or offensive behavior based on their personal beliefs or personal characteristics (excluding areas of gender, race/ethnicity, or sexual orientation) were all negatively associated with satisfaction (all p < .04). We conclude that this survey could serve as a “Genetic Counseling Training Experiences Assessment” which could be incorporated into annual evaluations required by the ACGC. Implementation of this assessment would enhance the current evaluations of genetic counseling training programs and provide important information regarding student experiences during their training.

中文翻译：

---

美国和加拿大遗传咨询学生的积极和消极的专业经历

多年来，遗传咨询培训计划的许多方面都得到了检验。然而，还没有研究探讨遗传咨询研究生在培训期间经历的专业或非专业行为，以及这些行为如何影响他们的培训满意度。这项探索性研究调查了学生与项目负责人、讲师、主管和其他学员的经历。具体经历包括偏袒、偏见、消极、滥用权力的行为以及积极榜样的例子。我们向国家遗传咨询师协会的所有成员和项目主管发送了一项调查，以便覆盖 2015 年至 2019 年遗传咨询认证委员会 (ACGC) 认证项目的有资格参与的毕业生。收集并分析了对人口统计、研究生教育满意度、研究生期间经历或看到的行为以及不当行为报告等问题的回答。结果表明，95% 的遗传咨询毕业生对他们的研究生教育非常满意，而那些在培训期间经历过不当行为的毕业生则满意度稍差 ( p  = .04)。那些认为自己的研究生教育做好了更多准备的人对自己的研究生教育更加满意 ( p  < .01)。在公开场合感到尴尬或羞辱，在诊所感觉自己是一个负担，或者由于个人信仰或个人特征（不包括性别、种族/民族或性取向）而遭受负面或冒犯性行为，这些都呈负相关满意（所有p  < .04）。我们的结论是，这项调查可以作为“遗传咨询培训经验评估”，可以纳入 ACGC 要求的年度评估中。该评估的实施将加强当前对遗传咨询培训计划的评估，并提供有关学生在培训期间经历的重要信息。