Longitudinal follow-up after telephone disclosure in the randomized COGENT study

Purpose To better understand the longitudinal risks and benefits of telephone disclosure of genetic test results in the era of multi-gene panel testing. Patients and Methods Adults who were proceeding with germline cancer genetic testing were randomized to telephone disclosure (TD) with a genetic counselor or in-person disclosure (IPD) of test results (i.e., usual care). All participants who received TD were recommended to return to meet with a physician to discuss medical management recommendations. Results 473 participants were randomized to TD and 497 to IPD. There were no differences between arms for any cognitive, affective or behavioral outcomes at 6 and 12 months. Only 50% of participants in the TD arm returned for the medical follow-up appointment. Returning was associated with site (p