Purpose: To describe parental knowledge and misconceptions of genetics.\nStudy design and methods: A qualitative, descriptive study utilizing semi-structured interviews (n=32) was conducted in private rooms\nwith mothers or mother-father dyads 24-48 hours after the birth of their healthy, full-term infant. Audio recording and field notes were collected.\nThematic analysis identified major categories pertaining to parental knowledge of genetics in healthcare.\nResults: Two themes were identified: parental lack of knowledge and misconceptions of genetics in healthcare and parent�s perception of\nthe value of the genetics in healthcare. Parental source of genetic information emerged as an accounting of where parents obtained genetic\ninformation. Thirty-eight percent of parents felt they had little knowledge of genetics. Twenty percent of parents acquired their genetic information\nfrom personal experience. Seventeen percent of parents acquired their genetic information from public media, and 10% of parents acquired\ntheir genetic information from someone who experienced genetic testing. Parents perceived value in prenatal diagnosis of variable conditions or\ndisease but had mixed opinions on the value of genetics in healthcare after the child was born.\nClinical implications: Significant gaps and misunderstandings in parental knowledge of genetics were identified. Removing potential parental\nknowledge barriers is essential for parental understanding of the role of genetics in health, illness, and pediatric genetic research.
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