Awareness of the genetic counseling (GC) profession may influence access to genetic services, yet awareness among the U.S. population is unknown. A survey of U.S. adults was conducted using age- and sex-based quotas. Participants were asked if they had heard of the GC profession and to describe what genetic counselors (GCs) do. After reading a brief description of what GCs do, participants were asked the likelihood they would request to see a genetic counselor if they were concerned about a genetic condition. We used descriptive statistics to characterize the population, logistic regression to determine factors related to awareness of the GC profession, and ordinary least squares regression to identify which factors correlated with likelihood of seeking GC services. Thematic analysis was used to code open-ended responses. Among the final sample of 543, the majority were White individuals (79.7%) with an average age of 46.5 and median income between $60,000 and $69,999. Although 20% indicated they had heard of the GC profession, further analysis of the qualitative follow-up question suggested only 13.4% understood the role of GCs (CI 10.6%–16.3%). Factors positively and significantly correlated with knowledge of the GC profession included identifying as White or female and having higher educational attainment or higher science knowledge after controlling for income, age, and political views. Approximately 45% of respondents indicated they would likely or very likely seek GC if concerned about a genetic condition. Biological sex, age, religious affiliation, science knowledge, and awareness of the GC profession were significantly correlated with likelihood of seeking GC services while controlling for race, income, educational attainment, and political views. Curiosity/interest, the perception of benefits, and trust in GCs were all major themes that emerged to explain reasons for seeking an appointment with GCs. Lack of awareness, lack of perceived benefit, and lack of trust in GCs or greater trust in other healthcare providers were reasons for not wanting a GC appointment. Despite the 50-year existence of the GC profession, awareness remains low and negative attitudes exist.

中文翻译：

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美国成年人的全国横断面样本中对遗传咨询专业的知识和看法

遗传咨询 (GC) 专业的意识可能会影响获得遗传服务的机会，但美国人群的意识尚不清楚。使用基于年龄和性别的配额对美国成年人进行了一项调查。参与者被问及他们是否听说过 GC 专业，并描述了遗传咨询师 (GC) 的工作。在阅读了对 GC 所做工作的简要描述后，参与者被问及如果他们担心遗传状况，他们会要求看遗传咨询师的可能性。我们使用描述性统计来表征人口，使用逻辑回归来确定与 GC 专业意识相关的因素，并使用普通最小二乘回归来确定哪些因素与寻求 GC 服务的可能性相关。主题分析用于编码开放式回答。在 543 名最终样本中，大多数是白人（79.7%），平均年龄为 46.5 岁，收入中位数在 60,000 美元至 69,999 美元之间。尽管 20% 的人表示他们听说过 GC 专业，但对定性后续问题的进一步分析表明，只有 13.4% 的人了解 GC 的作用（CI 10.6%–16.3%）。与 GC 专业知识正相关且显着相关的因素包括在控制收入、年龄和政治观点后确定为白人或女性，并具有更高的教育程度或更高的科学知识。大约 45% 的受访者表示，如果担心遗传状况，他们可能会或很可能会寻求 GC。生理性别、年龄、宗教信仰、科学知识、在控制种族、收入、教育程度和政治观点的情况下，对 GC 专业的认识和对 GC 专业的认识与寻求 GC 服务的可能性显着相关。好奇心/兴趣、对利益的感知以及对 GC 的信任都是为解释寻求与 GC 约会的原因而出现的主要主题。缺乏意识、缺乏感知利益以及对 GC 缺乏信任或对其他医疗保健提供者的更大信任是不希望 GC 任命的原因。尽管 GC 专业已经存在了 50 年，但人们的意识仍然很低，并且存在消极态度。缺乏意识、缺乏感知利益以及对 GC 缺乏信任或对其他医疗保健提供者的更大信任是不希望 GC 任命的原因。尽管 GC 专业已经存在了 50 年，但人们的意识仍然很低，并且存在消极态度。缺乏意识、缺乏感知利益以及对 GC 缺乏信任或对其他医疗保健提供者的更大信任是不希望 GC 任命的原因。尽管 GC 专业已经存在了 50 年，但人们的意识仍然很低，并且存在消极态度。