Impact of numeracy preferences on information needs for genome sequencing results. Issue 3 (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Albrechtsen, Richard D.; Goodman, Melody S.; Bather, Jemar R.; Kaphingst, Kimberly A.
• Is Part Of: Patient education and counseling. Volume 104:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 467
• Page End: 472
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Numeracy -- Information needs -- Genome sequencing -- Preferences -- Breast cancer; Patient education -- Periodicals; Health counseling -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Periodicals; Patient Education -- Periodicals; Éducation des patients -- Périodiques; Counseling -- Périodiques; Éducation sanitaire -- Périodiques; 615.5071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2020.09.032
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-3991

Abstract

Highlights: Numeracy was assessed using the Subjective Numeracy Scale with subscales distinguishing ability and preferences. Patient interest in information related to genetic testing results was quantified by a content topic score. Multivariable linear regression predicted content topic score based on numeracy and covariates. High patient preference for numeric data was correlated with increased desire for genetic results. High subjective numeracy ability was not correlated with increased desire for genetic results. Abstract: Objective: This study investigated how self-reported numeracy ability and preferences predict preferences for the amount and types of information provided about genome sequencing results among 1080 women diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 or younger. Methods: Participants reported their level of interest in 14 topics related to genome sequencing results on a survey. We calculated a Participant Information Needs (PIN) value based on the number of topics for which a participant wanted "a lot" of information. Numeracy was assessed using the Subjective Numeracy Scale. Analyses examined associations between the numeracy ability and preferences subscales, information needs for individual content topics, and PIN. Results: Higher preference for numeric data was correlated with increased PIN (β = 0.60, p < 0.01), while numeric ability was not correlated (β=0.16, p = 0.22). Family composition and knowledge about sequencing benefits were also significant covariates. Patients most preferred information on topics related to disease risk and health implications. Conclusion: There may be utility in separating numeracy ability and preferences into two components in future research in order to investigate how numeracy impacts the return of genetic testing results. Practice Implications: These data suggest that numeracy preferences may be important to inform strategies for the return of genetic results.