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document
An interactive computer program can effectively educate potential users of cystic fibrosis carrier tests . The demand for cystic fibrosis ( CF ) carrier testing is steadily growing , not only from individuals with raised a priori carrier risk , but also from the general population . This trend will likely exceed the availability of genetic counselors , making it impossible to provide standard face-to-face genetic counseling to all those asking for the test . In order to reduce the time needed to educate individuals on the basics of the disease , its genetic transmission , and carrier testing peculiarities , we developed an educational method based on an interactive computer program ( IC ) . To assess the effectiveness of this program and to compare it to a classical genetic counseling session , we conducted a comparative trial . In a population setting of people undergoing assisted reproduction , 44 individuals were randomly assigned to either receiving standard one-on-one genetic counseling or education by the IC program . We measured pre- and post-intervention knowledge about CF genetic transmission and carrier testing . Starting from an equivalent baseline of correct answers to a specially designed multiple-choice questionnaire ( 47 % in the counselor group and 45 % in the computer group ) both groups showed a highly significant and similar increase ( reaching 84 % in the counselor group and 85 % in the computer group ) . The computer program under evaluation can successfully educate individuals considering genetic testing for CF .
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Intervention_Educational
interactive computer program
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Intervention_Educational
educational method based on an interactive computer program ( IC )
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Intervention_Educational
standard one-on-one genetic counseling or education by the IC program
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Outcome_Mental
Starting from an equivalent baseline of correct answers to a specially designed multiple-choice questionnaire ( 47 % in the counselor group and 45 % in the computer group ) both groups showed a highly significant and similar increase ( reaching 84 % in the counselor group and 85 % in the computer group ) .
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Participant_Condition
cystic fibrosis carrier
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Participant_Condition
raised a priori carrier risk
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Participant_Sample-size
44 individuals