Prior research suggests language concordance positively affects physician–patient communication and their relationship, but few studies have investigated language concordance in genetic counseling sessions for Spanish-speaking patients. This study explored Spanish-speaking genetic counselors’ experiences and perceptions of the effects of Spanish language concordance on session processes and outcomes using the Reciprocal-Engagement Model (REM) of practice as a conceptual framework. There are 17 REM goals associated with four goal factors. A secondary purpose was to explore whether perceived effects are modified when the genetic counselor identifies as Latinx. Ten Latina and nine non-Latina Spanish-speaking genetic counselors who practice in the U.S. participated in semi-structured phone interviews. Directed content analysis yielded four themes reflecting how spoken language concordance promotes REM goal factors (Understanding and Appreciation, Support and Guidance, Facilitative Decision-Making, and Patient-Centered Education) and individual goals within each factor. Six additional themes also emerged: Patients feel grateful/relieved to have a genetic counselor who communicates directly in Spanish; Challenges are lessened (e.g., no need for an interpreter); Language interacts with other cultural similarities to achieve REM goals; Use of Spanish conveys genetic counselor is ‘going above and beyond’ for patients; Communicating medical information is difficult even when Spanish proficient; and Genetic counselor still able to achieve REM goals without language concordance. There were no apparent thematic differences between Latina and non-Latina genetic counselors. Results suggest language concordance positively influences relationship building and communication and facilitates achievement of REM goals. Proficiency in more than one language is ‘value added’ for genetic counseling services and should be encouraged in genetic counseling graduate programs and continuing education opportunities. Future research could assess patient perceptions of genetic counseling sessions in which the genetic counselor and patient use the patient's preferred language.

中文翻译：

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美国遗传咨询会议中的西班牙语一致性：咨询师的经验和对其对过程和结果的影响的看法

先前的研究表明语言一致性对医患沟通及其关系有积极影响，但很少有研究调查西班牙语患者遗传咨询会议中的语言一致性。本研究使用互惠参与模型 (REM) 作为概念框架，探讨了讲西班牙语的遗传咨询师对西班牙语一致性对会话过程和结果的影响的经验和看法。有 17 个 REM 目标与四个目标因素相关联。次要目的是探索当遗传顾问识别为拉丁裔时感知效果是否会改变。在美国执业的 10 名拉丁裔和 9 名非拉丁裔西班牙语遗传咨询师参加了半结构化电话采访。定向内容分析产生了四个主题，反映了口语一致性如何促进 REM 目标因素（理解和欣赏、支持和指导、促进决策和以患者为中心的教育）以及每个因素中的个人目标。还出现了另外六个主题： 患者对有一位直接用西班牙语交流的遗传咨询师感到感激/松了一口气；减少了挑战（例如，不需要口译员）；语言与其他文化相似性相互作用以实现快速眼动目标；西班牙语的使用传达了遗传咨询师对患者的“超越”；即使精通西班牙语，也很难传达医疗信息；遗传咨询师仍然能够在没有语言一致性的情况下实现 REM 目标。拉丁裔和非拉丁裔遗传顾问之间没有明显的主题差异。结果表明，语言一致性对关系建立和沟通有积极影响，并有助于实现 REM 目标。精通一种以上的语言是遗传咨询服务的“附加值”，应该在遗传咨询研究生课程和继续教育机会中得到鼓励。未来的研究可以评估患者对遗传咨询师和患者使用患者首选语言的遗传咨询会议的看法。精通一种以上的语言是遗传咨询服务的“附加值”，应该在遗传咨询研究生课程和继续教育机会中得到鼓励。未来的研究可以评估患者对遗传咨询师和患者使用患者首选语言的遗传咨询会议的看法。精通一种以上的语言是遗传咨询服务的“附加值”，应该在遗传咨询研究生课程和继续教育机会中得到鼓励。未来的研究可以评估患者对遗传咨询师和患者使用患者首选语言的遗传咨询会议的看法。