Grant: Doctoral Research Award: Canada Graduate Scholarships

Genetic testing can change how we care for cancer patients. It is often the first test for many patients with a new cancer diagnosis. Some cancer centers are "mainstreaming genetic testing", which means oncologists - instead of genetics experts - will order a genetic test without traditional genetic counselling before testing. They may use paper-based patient pamphlets or checklists instead. This method can lead to negative feelings and bad experiences for patients and their families. Genetic counselling can help patients deal with the impacts of a life-changing genetic test result. Digital tools for oncologist-initiated tests can help with these challenges by making genetic counselling more accessible. Yet, no such tool exists for cancer genetic services. To solve this problem, we created and want to test a new digital tool called the Mainstream Adviser to provide virtual genetic counselling and education to patients. We hope this tool will supplement standard care and improve the genetic testing process for cancer patients, their families and doctors. We co-developed the Mainstream Adviser with the help of patients, doctors and fellow researchers. We now want to conduct a randomized controlled trial with approximately 160 patients, where 80 will be assigned to receive the Mainstream Adviser and 80 will receive standard care. This study method will measure the amount of distress and several other outcomes that patients experience using the Mainstream Adviser compared to the current standard model of care. We will compare the experiences of patients who used the Mainstream Adviser to patients who received mainstream care. This research study will create a new digital tool that puts the patient at the center of the genetic testing process. In addition to reducing wait times, we hope this tool will assist with decision-making, educating patients and improving communication between patients and their doctors while reducing the overall burden on healthcare providers.