Self‐efficacy of genetic counselors and genetic counseling students using the Korean genetic counseling self‐efficacy scale

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.