This study applied the Korean version of the Genetic Counseling Self-Efficacy Scale (K-GCSES) to compare self-efficacy between certified genetic counselors and master's-level genetic counseling students in South Korea and examine associations with clinical, educational, and research experience. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional online survey conducted between March and May 2024 among 33 certified genetic counselors and 18 genetic counseling students (n = 51). Self-efficacy was measured using the 33-item K-GCSES, and group differences and experience-related associations were analyzed using Welch's t-tests, Holm adjustment, Hedges' g, and Jonckheere-Terpstra trend tests. Certified genetic counselors (total K-GCSES score: mean M = 7.53, standard deviation SD = 1.67) reported significantly higher overall self-efficacy than students (M = 5.75, SD = 1.47; t(39.0) = 3.94, p < 0.001, Hedges' g = 1.09). Medium to large effect sizes were observed across all three K-GCSES factors, including counseling competence and psychosocial skills, genetic testing, and information gathering (g = 0.95-1.35), with the largest group difference observed for the genetic testing factor (g = 1.35, p < 0.001). Within the genetic counselor group, years of practice (p < 0.001), number of counseling cases (p = 0.006), and participation in genetic counseling-related academic activities during the past 2 years (p = 0.003) were positively associated with self-efficacy, and counselors with research experience had higher total scores than those without (p = 0.018). Among students, self-efficacy varied according to supervised clinical practicum case volume. These findings indicate that self-efficacy is more closely associated with accumulated clinical practice than solely theoretical coursework, providing empirical evidence to inform genetic counseling education and workforce development strategies in South Korea.
Choi et al. (Wed,) studied this question.