Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42858448›Full record

ArticleJournal of genetic counseling2026

Needs, Challenges, and Opportunities for Genetic Counselors in Vietnam: A Qualitative Interview Study With Healthcare Leaders and Genetics Professionals.

Mai Ly Tran Burke, Peter James B Abad, Basma M'Barek, Angelica Michelle Raney, Janine S Bruce, Sylvia Bereknyei Merrell, Hetanshi Naik, Kelly E Ormond

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of genetic counseling, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Mai Ly Tran BurkeDepartment of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0854-5001
Peter James B AbadCollege of Nursing, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8899-9044
Basma M'BarekFV Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1702-6955
Angelica Michelle RaneyDepartment of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3470-5467
Janine S BruceDepartment of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0434-9026
Sylvia Bereknyei MerrellDepartment of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5525-0379
Hetanshi NaikDepartment of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5894-7390
Kelly E OrmondDepartment of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1033-0818

Funding

Engelberg Foundation
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

In Vietnam, access to genetic testing has expanded rapidly, but the genetic counseling needed to translate genetic testing results into informed healthcare decisions remains limited. Currently, genetic counseling is provided by physicians or PhD-trained laboratory geneticists in Vietnam; there are no Master's-level trained genetic counselors or genetic counseling training programs. As such, significant gaps exist in the genetic counseling services offered to patients and families in Vietnam. To date, limited research has explored how to implement the profession of genetic counselors in Vietnam. This study, therefore, explores the needs, challenges, and opportunities for integrating the profession of genetic counselors into Vietnam's healthcare system from the perspectives of healthcare professionals, institutional leaders, and genetics specialists. Grounded in a constructivist paradigm and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), we conducted 25 semi-structured interviews with healthcare professionals, institutional leaders, and genetics specialists across Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam in 2025. We purposively sampled participants to represent diverse roles, clinical populations, and institutions, including public and private hospitals, testing laboratories, advocacy organizations, and public health agencies. We collected demographic data via a screening survey and conducted virtual interviews in Vietnamese or English. Using inductive, reflexive thematic analysis, we analyzed transcripts and mapped themes to CFIR to support actionability. Participants described three major themes: (1) genetic testing is outpacing genetics specialists; (2) family, spiritual, and hierarchical frameworks shape the patient response to genetic care; and (3) a phased implementation pathway for genetic counselors is needed. Participants converged on a roadmap that includes raising awareness, embedding genetic counselors within existing clinical pathways, developing short- and long-term training strategies, and securing Ministry of Health recognition and guidelines. These findings constitute the first locally grounded implementation roadmap for genetic counselors in Vietnam.

Indexed as

CounselorsGenetic CounselingHealth PersonnelLeadershipAdultFemaleGenetic TestingHumansMaleQualitative ResearchVietnam

Identifiers

PMID42858448
PMCPMC13653685

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.