Increasing Access to Genetic Testing in Underserved Patients Using a Multilingual Conversational Agent

Summary

This study compares the experiences of people who receive information about genetic testing from a computer-generated character to patients who receive information from a human genetics healthcare provider. Patients with cancer are increasingly recommended for genetic testing as standard of care. Multiple factors contribute to low usage of genetic testing but for many patients the lack of access to genetic counseling and testing is an important and flexible factor. Lack of access is especially relevant to racial/ethnic minority patients and those living in non-metropolitan rural settings who are frequently cared for at safety-net hospitals with limited genetics services. Alternative delivery models are necessary to improve rates of access to genetic testing in patients with cancer. Health information technology is under used by genetics providers. A patient-facing relational agent (PERLA) will provide pre-test genetics education in both English and Spanish across two clinical settings to facilitate more timely access to genetic testing. Using the PERLA intervention may help researchers learn different ways to provide education about genetic testing to patients with cancer compared to usual care.

Description

Eligibility

Age range

18+ years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Interventions

• Other
  Best Practice

  Receive provider-based genetic counseling

• Other
  Educational Intervention

  Receive genetics education

• Other
  Electronic Health Record Review

  Ancillary studies

• Other
  Genetic Counseling

  Receive provider-based genetic counseling

• Other
  Interview

  Ancillary studies

• Other
  Survey Administration

  Ancillary studies

Locations (2)