Efforts of diversity and inclusion, cultural competency, and equity in the genetic counseling profession: A snapshot and reflection

Abstract

Like its peer health professions, the genetic counseling field recognizes the need for and value of diversity, inclusion, cultural competency, and equity (DICE). However, despite decades of diversity initiatives, minimal gains in the percentage of genetic counselors with minority identities have been realized. In order to gather information about DICE efforts, two surveys were created and distributed to genetic service providers, trainees, and genetic counseling program faculty yielding a total of 76 responses. Additionally, a literature scan was performed to gain an understanding of past and ongoing DICE efforts in the career. Three emerging domains resulted from quantitative and qualitative analysis of the submitted data: (1) Categories of DICE Projects, (2) Parties Carrying Out DICE Projects, and (3) What is Missing? Overall, inclusion efforts are notably underrepresented among DICE projects. Also, DICE efforts are generally under‐supported, unfunded, and under‐recognized as work‐related responsibilities. To enhance DICE within the genetic counseling profession, we recommend developing additional research and projects focused on career inclusion and equity, implementing policies requiring DICE training for leaders within the field, encouraging project evaluation and outcomes dissemination, and creating a well‐maintained web‐based centralized repository for DICE resources.

Scaling Genetic Counseling in the Genomics Era

“…Diversifying the genetic counseling profession will take the combination and success of multiple initiatives. Genetic counselors need to increase awareness of the profession but must also take a close look at the accessibility of practices leading to program acceptance, such as shadowing and internship opportunities, the application and interview process, and scholarship opportunities (20,21). Ongoing support for and empowerment of BIPOC genetic counselors will also be essential.…”

Preparing genetic counselors to serve Native American communities

“…This project was intended to explore equity issues for people with Indigenous ancestry in North America and did not investigate programs' efforts toward increasing health equity and representation for members of other underrepresented groups. Due to the focused scope, this study did not discuss other admirable and necessary efforts to increase overall diversity of the GC field (Channaoui et al, 2020;Price et al, 2020;Warren & Ormond, 2009).…”

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As a medical specialty, genetic counseling (GC) espouses cultural sensitivity, a patientcentered approach, and an eye for the individual, familial, and community-wide implications of genetics and genomics in medicine. Within the past decades, the field of GC has recognized and attempted to address a need for the greater diversity of providers and practice settings that will help to address health inequities across underrepresented communities (Channaoui et al, 2020). Accreditation for GC training programs mandates equipping students with multicultural sensitivity and knowledge on health disparities.

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Summary report of the 2019 Diversity and Inclusion Task Force of the National Society of Genetic Counselors

“…There have been a number of previous efforts to increase DEI in the genetic counseling profession; however, enduring systemic improvements have not been achieved (Channaoui, Bui, & Mittman, 2020).…”

“…There have been a number of previous efforts to increase DEI in the genetic counseling profession; however, enduring systemic improvements have not been achieved (Channaoui, Bui, & Mittman, 2020). The recommendations by this Task Force (TF) are a call to action for genetic counselors to strive for meaningful and sustainable changes that will facilitate increased DEI within the profession.…”