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This article reports on a longitudinal, quasi-experimental comparison of two English language development (ELD) models implemented from kindergarten through Grade 3 to support oral English language development among Spanish-speaking English language learners (ELLs). Specifically, the study examined oral English language proficiency among students who received only integrated English language development (I-ELD; n = 39) and students who received I-ELD with 30 minutes of daily designated ELD (D-ELD) entailing four specific routines and strategies (n = 65). The study also compared oral proficiency with English-only speakers (EO) from the same school (n = 47). Oral language proficiency was measured by the IDEA Proficiency Test (IPT I-Oral; Ballard & Tighe, 2017). A repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) across Grades 2 and 3 indicated significant (p < 0.001; [eta][superscript 2] = 0.53) increases in oral proficiency for ELL students who received D-ELD. A follow-up analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated significant positive effects (p < 0.001; [eta][superscript 2] = 0.19) of the D-ELD approach on ELL students' oral proficiency compared to only I-ELD in Grade 3. The ANCOVA also found no significant (p > 0.05) differences in oral proficiency between ELL students who received D-ELD and EO students in Grade 3, indicating similar oral English skills. The D-ELD model's instructional strategies and practical implications are discussed.

This study examined the impact of a virtual parenting intervention designed to support parents of incoming kindergartners (N = 45) by bolstering their parental self-efficacy during the summer of 2020, immediately following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, this group-based intervention provided parents with weekly psychoeducation of parenting skills to support their child's development and wellbeing, a toolkit of kindergarten readiness resources, and social support with other parents. Parent self-efficacy was collected pre and post intervention utilizing the Parent Empowerment and Efficacy Measure (PEEM). Paired samples t-tests demonstrated statistically significant increases in parents' overall self-efficacy, t(44) = 3.55, p <.05, and efficacy to connect to resources following the intervention, t(44) = 4.30, p <.05. Focus groups explored parents' perceived growth and confidence to parent and the quality of the relationship with their child after the intervention. Thematic analyses illuminated five core themes, including increased confidence in managing their child's behavior and emotional regulation, increased ability to perspective take with their child, increased knowledge of milestones and child development, improved conscientiousness and intentional parenting skills, and an increased efficacy to utilize a toolkit of parent resources and skills. Results and implications are discussed regarding how school psychologists and other school staff can support the home learning environment of families during the transition to kindergarten to promote optimal child development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microlearning uses short educational interventions to provide learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform specific tasks or solve immediate problems. This approach is increasingly used across digital platforms to engage learners and foster quick comprehension. Microlearning can be used in clinical genetics education to deliver a comprehensive educational intervention that is segmented into smaller discrete but complimentary components. This report discusses one group's approach to using microlearning in clinician education and provides tips that can be applied to other educational efforts. High‐quality genetics education has the potential to be disseminated across multiple delivery methods and to multiple audiences, thereby increasing its impact and reach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While many genetic professionals are involved in the education of lay and professional audiences, most do not have formal training in education theory and program design. Partnerships with adult education experts can provide additional resources and improve the level of instruction, thereby increasing the impact of an educational intervention. This report discusses the experience of a multidisciplinary team of educators, clinicians, and researchers partnering to develop evidence‐based education for cardiology practitioners. It includes practical advice for how clinicians and educators can develop more effective education through collaboration, needs assessment, instructional design, and iterative content development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative (MCGI) aimed to overcome patient- and provider-level barriers to using genomic tumor testing (GTT) in rural practices by providing genomic tumor boards (GTBs), clinician education, and access to comprehensive large-panel next-generation sequencing to all patients with cancer in Maine. This paper describes the successful implementation of the initiative and three key services made operative between 2016 and 2020. METHODS: A community-inclusive, hub-and-spoke approach was taken to implement the three program components: (1) a centralized GTB program; (2) a modular online education program, designed using an iterative approach with broad clinical stakeholders; and (3) GTT free of charge to clinicians and patients. Implementation timelines, participation metrics, and survey data were used to describe the rollout. RESULTS: The MCGI was launched over an 18-month period at all 19 oncology practices in the State. Seventy-nine physicians (66 medical oncologists, 5 gynecologic oncologists, 1 neuro-oncologist, and 7 pediatric oncologists) enrolled on the study, representing 100% of all practicing oncologists in Maine. Between July 2017 and September 2020, 1610 patients were enrolled. A total of 515 cases were discussed by 47 (73%) clinicians in 196 GTBs. Clinicians who participated in the GTBs enrolled significantly more patients on the study, stayed in Maine, and reported less time spent in clinical patient care. CONCLUSION: The MCGI was able to engage geographically and culturally disparate cancer care practices in a precision oncology program using a hub-and-spoke model. By facilitating access to GTT, structured education, and GTBs, we narrowed the gap in the implementation of precision oncology in one of the most rural states in the country. MCGI aimed to overcome patient- and provider-level barriers to GTT in rural practices by providing GTBs, clinician education, and access to large-panel NGS to all oncologists and their patients in Maine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: Social determinants of health, such as rurality, income, and education, may widen health disparities by driving variation in patients' knowledge and perceptions of medical interventions. This effect may be greatest for medical technologies that are hard to understand and less accessible. This study explored whether knowledge and perceptions (expectations and attitudes) of patients with cancer toward large-panel genomic tumor testing (GTT), an emerging cancer technology, vary by patient rurality independent of other socioeconomic characteristics (education and income). METHODS: Patients with cancer enrolled in a large precision oncology initiative completed surveys measuring rurality, sociodemographic characteristics, and knowledge and perceptions of GTT. We used multivariable linear models to examine differences in GTT knowledge, expectations, and attitudes by patient rurality, education, and income level. Models controlled for age, sex and clinical cancer stage and type. RESULTS: Rural patients had significantly lower knowledge of GTT than urban patients using bivariate models (P =.025). However, this association disappeared when adjusting for education and income level: patients with lower educational attainment and lower income had lower knowledge and higher expectations (P ≤.002), whereas patients with higher income had more positive attitudes (P =.005). Urban patients had higher expectations of GTT compared with patients living in large rural areas (P =.011). Rurality was not associated with attitudes. CONCLUSION: Patients' education and income level are associated with knowledge, expectations, and attitudes toward GTT, whereas rurality is associated with patient expectations. These findings suggest that efforts to promote adoption of GTT should focus on improving knowledge and awareness among individuals with low education and income. These differences may lead to downstream disparities in GTT utilization, which should be explored in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'The Pregnancy and Health Profile' (PHP) is a free prenatal genetic screening and clinical decision support (CDS) software tool for prenatal providers. PHP collects family health history (FHH) during intake and provides point-of-care risk assessment for providers and education for patients. This pilot study evaluated patient and provider responses to PHP and effects of using PHP in practice. PHP was implemented in four clinics. Surveys assessed provider confidence and knowledge and patient and provider satisfaction with PHP. Data on the implementation process were obtained through semi-structured interviews with administrators. Quantitative survey data were analyzed using Chi square test, Fisher's exact test, paired t tests, and multivariate logistic regression. Open-ended survey questions and interviews were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis. Of the 83% (513/618) of patients that provided feedback, 97% felt PHP was easy to use and 98% easy to understand. Thirty percent (21/71) of participating physicians completed both pre- and post-implementation feedback surveys [13 obstetricians (OBs) and 8 family medicine physicians (FPs)]. Confidence in managing genetic risks significantly improved for OBs on 2/6 measures (p values ≤0.001) but not for FPs. Physician knowledge did not significantly change. Providers reported value in added patient engagement and reported mixed feedback about the CDS report. We identified key steps, resources, and staff support required to implement PHP in a clinical setting. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report on the integration of patient-completed, electronically captured and CDSenabled FHH software into primary prenatal practice. PHP is acceptable to patients and providers. Key to successful implementation in the future will be customization options and interoperability with electronic health records. Keywords Family health history * Personalized risk assessment * Clinical decision support * Prenatal care * Genetic screening, Introduction Family health history (FHH) has been called 'the cheapest genetic test' [1] or the first genetic test [2], and it has long been recognized as an essential aspect of [...]

Several functional analyses of the germline mutations and its variants in the succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) genes SDHB-D are conducted to demonstrate their presence in patients with Cowden and Cowden-like syndromes. The germline SDH mutation carriers are shown to exhibit higher frequency of breast, thyroid and renal cell carcinomas, as compared to the germline PTEN mutations.

Purpose: Large-panel genomic tumor testing (GTT) is an emerging technology with great promise but uncertain clinical value. Previous research has documented variability in academic oncologists' perceptions and use of GTT, but little is known about community oncologists' perceptions of GTT and how perceptions relate to clinicians' intentions to use GTT.Methods: Community oncology physicians (N = 58) participating in a statewide initiative aimed at improving access to large-panel GTT completed surveys assessing their confidence in using GTT, attitudes regarding the value of GTT, perceptions of barriers to GTT implementation, and future intentions to use GTTs. Descriptive and multivariable regression analyses were conducted to characterize these perceptions and to explore the relationships between them.Results: There was substantial variability in clinicians' perceptions of GTT. Clinicians generally had moderate confidence in their ability to use GTT, but lower confidence in patients' ability to understand test results and access targeted treatment. Clinicians had positive attitudes regarding the value of GTT. Clinicians' future intentions to use GTT were associated with greater confidence in using GTT and greater perceived barriers to implementing GTT, but not with attitudes about the value of GTT.Conclusions: Community oncologists' perceptions of large-panel genomic tumor testing are variable, and their future intentions to use GTT are associated with both their confidence in and perceived barriers to its use, but not with their attitudes towards GTT. More research is needed to understand other factors that determine how oncologists perceive and use GTT in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has highlighted the effectiveness of supporting parents in fostering children's academic and/or social-emotional development in preparation for kindergarten. Considering the emergence of COVID-19 as a risk factor to which all children and parents have been exposed, it is essential to understand parental mental health as it relates to early childhood development. This study utilized mixed methods to examine the experiences and perspectives of parents (N = 82) whose children were transitioning into kindergarten during the fall of 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Results indicate that parents' knowledge/confidence in managing their child's transition to kindergarten was inversely associated with their worry during this time and may be a meaningful target for future interventions. Implications regarding how to best support and include parents in early intervention programming prior to kindergarten entry are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel medical technologies, like large-panel genomic tumor testing (GTT), offer great promise but also substantial uncertainty regarding their clinical value and appropriate use. The goal of this study was to understand how clinicians' perceived uncertainty about GTT, and uncertainty tolerance (UT), a construct that describes trait-level differences in individuals' responses to uncertainty, influence attitudes and self-efficacy regarding GTT. Community-based oncologists participating in a study of large-panel GTT completed surveys assessing their perceptions of uncertainty about GTT, and their attitudes and self-efficacy regarding GTT. Multivariable regression analyses examined the relationship between oncologists' perceived uncertainty of GTT and their GTT-related attitudes and self-efficacy, and the potential moderating effect of individual differences in UT. Fifty-seven oncologists completed surveys. Greater perceived uncertainty about GTT was associated with more negative attitudes towards it. This association was moderated by UT, such that lower UT was associated with a stronger negative relationship between perceived uncertainty and attitudes. That is, oncologists who perceive GTT as uncertain, tended to have more negative attitudes, particularly if they were low in the trait of uncertainty tolerance. More research is warranted to understand how uncertainty and uncertainty tolerance influence clinicians' responses to GTT and other novel medical interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]