Identifying potential genetic counseling program applicant competencies.

Genetic counseling (GC) program admission is highly competitive. Developing applicant competencies, like the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has done, could help genetic counseling applicants better identify the knowledge, skills, and personal qualities programs seek. The purpose of...

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Publicado en:Journal of Genetic Counseling Vol. 34; no. 3; pp. 1 - 18
Autores principales: Gallant, Alexis, Carmany, Erin, Trepanier, Angela
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Wiley-Blackwell Jun2025
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jun2025
      vid: 34
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      pub: Wiley-Blackwell
      place: Malden, Massachusetts
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        10.1002/jgc4.70020
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        atl: Identifying potential genetic counseling program applicant competencies.
      aug:
        au:
          Gallant, Alexis
          Carmany, Erin
          Trepanier, Angela
        affil: Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit Michigan,, USA
      sug:
        subj:
          Genetic Counseling Education
          Professional Competence Evaluation
          Schools, Medical
          School Admissions
          Competency Assessment
          Program Development
          Human
          Qualitative Studies
          Focus Groups
          Semi-Structured Interview
          Interview Guides
          Leadership
          Committees
          Thematic Analysis
          Interpersonal Relations
          Communication Skills
          Critical Thinking
          Professional Knowledge
          Teamwork
          Cultural Competence
          Commitment
      ab: Genetic counseling (GC) program admission is highly competitive. Developing applicant competencies, like the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has done, could help genetic counseling applicants better identify the knowledge, skills, and personal qualities programs seek. The purpose of this qualitative focus group study was to develop a set of draft GC program applicant competencies and then compare them with those established by the AAMC. We developed a semi‐structured interview guide that included questions about GC application requirements, the reason for each requirement, and how important each was in evaluating an applicant. These were followed by questions that asked to what extent the medical school applicant competencies aligned with what GC programs were looking for in applicants, and overall thoughts about developing applicant competencies. Focus group participants, which could include program leadership and admissions committee members, were recruited through the Association of Genetic Counseling Program Directors' listserv. Four virtual focus groups were held between December 2020 and February 2021. Fifteen people participated, representing 13 of 50 programs. One investigator conducted the focus group session while the other two investigators took notes. Each focus group session was recorded and then transcribed verbatim. The transcripts and notes were reviewed by each investigator independently to generate themes (applicant competencies) using reflexive thematic analysis. Draft themes were reviewed, discussed, and refined, using two rounds of an iterative process. The draft set of competencies was then sent to focus group participants for review. Comments were submitted by six participants representing all four focus groups and were incorporated. Thirteen competencies, reflective of the baseline knowledge, skills, and personal qualities sought in genetic counseling applicants, were identified: Foundation in Basic Science and Genetics, Insight into the Profession, Academic Ability, Capacity for Self‐Awareness, Interpersonal Skills, Communication Skills, Critical Thinking and Reasoning, Teamwork, Cultural Humility, Professional Attributes, Capacity to Value and Support Diverse Perspectives, Capacity for Growth, and Commitment to Helping Others. These competencies significantly overlap with medical school applicant competencies but also reflect unique aspects of the GC profession. Additional research to evaluate this set of competencies and the pros and cons of using them in GC admissions is needed. We believe that this work serves as a starting place to promote transparency in GC admissions.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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