Publications by authors named "Smita K Rao"

The first genetic counseling (GC) graduate training program was established in the United States (U.S.) in 1969 and GC is an emerging field of healthcare in many countries.

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Genetic counseling students from the United States are often interested in international summer fieldwork placements, but little is known about the hosts' perspectives when considering such requests. We sent out surveys to 132 international genetics providers (genetics clinics and genetics programs), to identify advantages, barriers and expectations for U.S.

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Between 2018 and 2023, one percent of matched applicants to North American genetic counseling graduate programs (GCGPs) have been international applicants (IAs). The COVID-19 pandemic led to changes in the GCGP application processes in 2020, most notably the incorporation of virtual interviews and GRE waivers, which uniquely impacted IAs. Twelve international genetic counseling (GC) students who matriculated into a U.

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Purpose A third-party telemedicine (TM) genetic counseling program was initiated at a large community oncology practice spanning 35 clinical sites with 110 clinicians and 97 advanced practice providers throughout Tennessee and Georgia. Patients and Methods Appropriate patients were referred through the electronic health record (EHR) based on current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. A combination of TM and genetic counseling assistants enhanced convenience, broadened access, and decreased no-show rates.

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Purpose: Genetic counseling (GC) is standard of care in genetic cancer risk assessment (GCRA). A rigorous assessment of the data reported from published studies is crucial to ensure the evidence-based implementation of GC.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 17 patient-reported and health-services-related outcomes associated with pre- and post-test GC in GCRA in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology.

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Increased access to genetic counseling services is of prime importance in minority and underserved populations where genetic testing is currently underutilized. Our study tested a point of care screening tool to identify high-risk low-income patients for genetic counseling in a busy county hospital oncology clinic. Eligible breast patients treated at a "safety-net" hospital, were scored into 'high-risk' (> or = 6) or 'low-risk' (< 6) groups using a screening tool on personal and family history of cancer.

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Purpose: The reclassification of genetic variants poses a significant challenge for laboratories and clinicians. Variant review has resulted in the reclassification of variants of unknown significance as well as the reclassification of previously established pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants. These reclassifications have the potential to alter the clinical management of patients with hereditary cancer syndromes.

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Objective: To determine whether prior success in recruiting African Americans to an in-house cancer genetics registry could be duplicated when recruiting to a national registry requiring a significantly increased level of commitment. Additionally, to determine which recruitment sources and practices yielded the highest number of African American participants.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of recruitment sources, practices, and results for recruitment to the Cancer Genetics Network (CGN; a national research registry), from 2000 to 2005 was conducted.

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