Genetic Counseling and Risk Communication

Abstract

Genetic counseling is a critical component of the genetic risk assessment process, providing information, guidance and support to individuals undergoing genetic testing. With the inherently complex and uncertain nature of genetic risk information, a key role of the genetic counselor is to impart this likelihood-based information in a readily understandable manner. Yet simply imparting this information presents several challenges for the counselor and the testing recipient and their family including counseling individuals with low scientific and mathematical literacy who lack the basic understanding of genetics and genetic risk, those from a culturally and linguistically diverse background who rely on interpreters to convey this complex information in a non-biased manner, and being able to provide genetic risk assessment support in a culturally sensitive way. A further role of the genetic counselor is to foster positive coping skills in those affected by psychological distress, such as anxiety and depression arising from participation in the risk assessment process. This article further outlines models of genetic counseling that guide effective practice in this area and considers the role of telehealth in genetic counseling as a means of increasing access to genetic counseling services, particularly for those who are geographically isolated from metropolitan-based clinics.