AUTHOR=Vidgen Miranda E. , Fowles Lindsay F. , Istiko Satrio Nindyo , Evans Erin , Cutler Katrina , Sullivan Kate , Bean Jessica , Healy Louise , Hondow Gary , McInerney-Leo Aideen M. , Pratt Gregory , Robins Deborah , Best Stephanie , Finlay Keri , Ramarao-Milne Priya , Waddell Nicola TITLE=Evaluation of a Genetics Education Program for Health Interpreters: A Pilot Study JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics VOLUME=12 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2021.771892 DOI=10.3389/fgene.2021.771892 ISSN=1664-8021 ABSTRACT=

Health Interpreters enable effective communication between health practitioners and patients with limited knowledge of the predominant language. This study developed and evaluated a training session introducing Health Interpreters to genetics. The online training was delivered multiple times as a single 2-h session comprising lectures and activities. Participants completed questionnaires (pre-, post-, and 6-months follow-up) to assess the impact of training on knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and self-reported practice behaviour. Questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics, Fisher’s Exact, or independent t-test. In total, 118 interpreters participated in the training sessions. Respondent knowledge improved, with gains maintained at 6-months (p < 0.01). There were no changes in self-efficacy, and attitudes. Training did not change self-reported practice behaviour, but there was notable pre-existing variability in participants’ methods of managing unknown genetic words. Most respondents agreed that training was useful (93%) and relevant (79%) to their work. More respondents reported learning more from the case study activity (86%) than the group activity (58%). Health Interpreters found the training acceptable and demonstrated sustained improvement in knowledge of genetic concepts. Increased delivery of this training and associated research is needed to assess findings in a larger cohort and to measure the impact on patients.