#17-Patient Understanding of Sex and Gender in cell-free DNA Screening

In this episode, we explore the motivations, findings, and clinical implications of a recent study examining patient understanding of the terms “sex” and “gender” in the context of prenatal testing, particularly non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). 

 

“Patient understanding of fetal sex versus gender in the context of routine cell-free DNA screening”

 

Mindy Kolodziejski (she/her) is a Senior Genetic Counselor at University of Kentucky (UK) HealthCare and a graduate of the UTHealth Houston Genetic Counseling Program (UTGCP). She is the first author of "Patient understanding of fetal sex versus gender in the context of routine cell-free DNA screening," published in the Journal of Genetic Counseling, and presented this research at the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) conference in 2024. As a queer genetic counselor, Mindy is passionate about LGBTQIA+ issues in genetic counseling and strives to improve care, inclusion, and accessibility for transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals. She also provides genetics services in the UK Differences of Sex Development (DSD) clinic. Connect with Mindy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindy-kolodziejski-a07573186/

 

In this segment we discuss:

- Why the terms sex and gender are different, but are often used interchangeably

- Factors influencing patient understanding of sex and gender

- Ways to help patients understand the information being presented while balancing being accurate and appropriate with the language being used

- Specific content and approaches that can be added to prenatal education programs

 

Would you like to nominate a JoGC article to be featured in the show? If so, please fill out this nomination submission form here. Multiple entries are encouraged including articles where you, your colleagues, or your friends are authors.

 

Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Dialogues! In the meantime, listen to all our episodes Apple Podcasts, Spotify, streaming on the website, or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Dialogues”. 

 

For more information about this episode visit dnadialogues.podbean.com, where you can also stream all episodes of the show. Check out the Journal of Genetic Counseling here for articles featured in this episode and others. 

 

Any questions, episode ideas, guest pitches, or comments can be sent into [email protected]. 

 

DNA Dialogues’ team includes Jehannine Austin, Naomi Wagner, Khalida Liaquat, Kate Wilson and DNA Today’s Kira Dineen. Our logo was designed by Ashlyn Enokian. Our current intern is Sydney Arlen.