IMPORTANCE A critical bottleneck in clinical genomics is the mismatch between large volumes of results and the availability of knowledgeable professionals to return them. OBJECTIVE To test whether a web-based platform is noninferior to a genetic counselor for educating patients about their carrier results from exome sequencing.

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In-person education and counseling for all people receiving genetic results is the predominant model of disclosure but is challenged by the growing volume of low-impact results generated by sequencing. Evidence suggests that web-based tools may be as effective as in-person counseling at educating individuals about their low-impact results. However, the effects of counseling have not been assessed. To evaluate its utility, carrier results were returned to 459 post-reproductive participants from the ClinSeq cohort within a randomized controlled trial. Participants received education and were randomized to receive counseling or not. Primary outcomes included risk worry, test-related positive experiences, attitudes, and decisional conflict. Secondary outcomes were satisfaction, preferences, and counseling value. There were no differences between participants who received counseling and those who did not in the primary outcomes. Participants who received counseling were more satisfied than those who did not (x¯ = 10.2 and 9.5, respectively, p < 0.002, range: 3-12), although overall satisfaction was high. Most participants (92%) randomized to counseling preferred it and valued it because it provided validation of their reactions and an opportunity for interpersonal interaction. Web-based tools address the challenge of returning low-impact results, and these data provide empiric evidence that counseling, although preferred and satisfying, is not critical to achieving desired outcomes.

Positive VUS results can be returned to apparently unaffected individuals with modest use of healthcare resources, minimal behavioral changes, and favorable psychological reactions.