Sarah Lawrence College
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Prenatal Genetic Counselors\u27 Perceptions of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT): A Look at the Informed Consent Process and Common Patient Misconceptions
Get PDFOur study investigated prenatal genetic counselors’ perspectives on and overall satisfaction with the current practice of informed consent for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). With the routinization of NIPT, it is increasingly necessary for healthcare providers other than genetic counselors to facilitate pretest counseling. This in turn raises concerns that time constraints and non-genetics providers’ lack of knowledge about NIPT will leave patients unprepared to make an informed decision about prenatal testing. To explore the frequency of perceived patient misconceptions and their perceived sources and identify potential strategies to address current challenges in the informed consent process, we created an online survey targeting past or currently practicing prenatal genetic counselors consisting of multiple-choice, Likert-scale, and open-ended questions. The survey was distributed to genetic counselors through the National Society of Genetic Counselors listserv as well as directly through professional connections and LinkedIn. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics. For open-ended questions, common themes were extracted through inductive analysis. A total of 154 counselors responded and 109 met eligibility criteria. Results showed that OB/GYNs, midwives, and maternal-fetal medicine specialists were most commonly the healthcare providers facilitating informed consent for NIPT. The most frequently reported patient misconceptions were that NIPT screens for all genetic conditions and that NIPT is a diagnostic test, with 82% (n=88) and 78% (n=85) of respondents respectively stating that their patients “sometimes” or “often” hold these beliefs. A majority of respondents expressed feeling frequently dissatisfied with the pretest counseling that their patients had received from non-genetics providers, and they identified a lack of provider education, time constraints, low patient health literacy, and language barriers as potential sources of patient misconceptions. Our results suggest that genetic counselors believe the most common source of patient misunderstandings about NIPT is non-genetics providers’ lack of knowledge about the test. Our results imply that genetic counselors are not confident patients are making fully informed and autonomous decisions when consenting to NIPT. When asked how we might improve the informed consent process for NIPT, respondents were most likely to suggest efforts to standardize non-genetics provider education and to introduce accessible patient resources
Illuminating the Darkness: Dance/Movement Therapy as an Intervention During the Antenatal Period
Get PDFAbstract A pregnant person’s experiences during the gestational period are influential factors that shape the developmental trajectory of the fetus. The intricate interplay between a pregnant person’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being is significant in understanding this development. A pregnant person’s past, present, and generationally transmitted psychological experiences may impact the cognitive, emotional, and physiological development of the fetus. High levels of maternal stress have been associated with an increased risk of adverse physical outcomes. Maternal mental health, encompassing conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety, has been linked to adverse outcomes in offspring. The emotional connection between a mother and their unborn child, or maternal-fetal bonding, is a key aspect of prenatal development. Positive maternal experiences, including a supportive social environment and strong perinatal bonding, have been associated with favorable emotional regulation and resilience in the child. On the contrary, maternal distress may contribute to a heightened risk of emotional and behavioral challenges later in life. Psychosocial support and mindfulness-based interventions during pregnancy have shown promise in improving maternal mental health and positively influencing fetal outcomes. Due to its capacity to address the body-mind connection, dance/movement therapy offers itself as a logical intervention during this time. Keywords: dance/movement therapy, intergenerational trauma, generational trauma, trauma, depression, anxiety, pregnancy, antenatal, pregnant person, maternal, fetus, maternal-baby bonding, nervous system, cortisol, vagus nerve, grounding, Laban, rhythm, attunement, suppor
The Importance of Hands-On Science: an Exploration of Scientific Experiences in and Outside of the Classroom
Get PDFThis paper focuses on approaching science education through a lens of hands-on learning. Through observing different teaching environments that allow for this hands-on learning to occur, I hope to shed light on the importance of teaching through exploration, forming connections with nature, and allowing children to find a love for science. Children are naturally curious, experimenters, creative, and passionate and learn when these characteristics are met. Science has similar characteristics. Science is all around us. It focuses on inquiry, discovery, and connection. It is in the air we breathe, it occurs naturally without us having to manipulate it. Through centering learning on this kind of practice, children will enrich their learning through interaction and the ability to make science learning approachable. Children deserve the time and space to play, be outside, discover, and question. Through teaching science through an inquiry lens, children will continue to learn holistically and see the whole parts of learning. These are all key components of a hands-on science curriculum, and children deserve the opportunity to experience it
