Abstract

Bridging the communication divide in genomic medicine: Development and testing of an exome sequencing course for Spanish interpreters

Leslie Riddle, MPH1, Claudia Guerra, MSW1, Cynthia Roat, MPH2, Gary Ashwal, MA3, Alex Thomas, MD3, Amy Wade4, Leah Karliner, MD1, Alan F Rope, MD5, Mikaella Caruncho, MSW, MPH1, Tia L Kauffman, MPH6, Benjamin Wilfond, MD7, Katrina AB Goddard, PhD6 and Galen Joseph, PhD1
(1)University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, (2)Cynthia E. Roat, Shoreline, WA, (3)Booster Shot Media, Inc, Santa Monica, CA, (4)LanguageLine Solutions, Monterey, CA, (5)Genome Medical, Portland, OR, (6)Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Portland, OR, (7)Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA

APHA's 2020 VIRTUAL Annual Meeting and Expo (Oct. 24 - 28)

Genomic medicine is rapidly expanding, but the lack of equitable access persists. For individuals of limited English proficiency (LEP), interpreter services are often used to communicate genetic test results. Prior research on hereditary cancer genetic counseling found that misinterpretations by healthcare interpreters adversely impacted patients’ ability to understand their cancer risk and make informed clinical decisions. Factors contributing to interpreter errors included limited or no training in relevant genetics concepts/terminology and incorrect assumptions about heredity and genetic testing. The Cancer Health Risk Assessments Reaching Many (CHARM) study is enrolling 880 healthy adults at risk for hereditary cancer from medically underserved populations, in English and Spanish, in the Denver, CO and Portland, OR areas. Participants undergo clinical exome sequencing and receive test results by telephone from a genetic counselor. We developed a web-based training in exome sequencing for healthcare interpreters that includes basic genetics education, a narrative clinical case example, exercises and a bilingual glossary. 24 professional Spanish interpreters were randomized to receive the training before or after completing interpretation services for the study. Data from the first three trainings indicate that the number of interpreters who felt confident interpreting for an appointment that involves discussion of genetics doubled after receiving the training. Participants found the practice exercises and glossary especially useful, and suggested additional genetics resources and refresher courses. We will present additional pre/post training survey results on interpreter knowledge and utility of training materials, as well as preliminary findings from patient surveys and qualitative interviews with patients and interpreters.

Communication and informatics Diversity and culture Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Social and behavioral sciences