Genetic Counseling

Abstract

Genetic counseling, in the traditional sense, has been defined as a communication process, whereby individuals and families are educated about the genetic conditions in their families and about those for which they could be at risk. Genetic counseling, as its name implies, also involves addressing the psychosocial issues that accompany the diagnosis, or possible diagnosis, of such a condition. The counselor supports the family in learning about the diagnosis and in decision-making about issues surrounding the diagnosis or potential diagnosis. However, genetic counseling is still a rapidly evolving field, with many counselors becoming increasingly involved in “nontraditional” roles. The following is the definition of genetic counseling adopted in 1983 by the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC), the professional membership organization for genetic counseling:Genetic counselors are health professionals with specialized graduate degrees and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counseling. Most enter the field from a variety of disciplines, including biology, genetics, nursing, psychology, public health and social work. Genetic counselors work as members of a health care team, providing information and support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who might be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. They identify families at risk, investigate the problem present in the family, interpret information about the disorder, analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence and review available options with the family. Genetic counselors also provide supportive counseling to families, serve as patient advocates and refer individuals and families to community or state support services. They serve as educators and resource people for other health care professionals and for the general public. Some counselors also work in administrative capacities. Many engage in research activities related to the field of medical genetics and genetic counseling: Genetic counselors are health professionals with specialized graduate degrees and experience in the areas of medical genetics and counseling. Most enter the field from a variety of disciplines, including biology, genetics, nursing, psychology, public health and social work. Genetic counselors work as members of a health care team, providing information and support to families who have members with birth defects or genetic disorders and to families who might be at risk for a variety of inherited conditions. They identify families at risk, investigate the problem present in the family, interpret information about the disorder, analyze inheritance patterns and risks of recurrence and review available options with the family. Genetic counselors also provide supportive counseling to families, serve as patient advocates and refer individuals and families to community or state support services. They serve as educators and resource people for other health care professionals and for the general public. Some counselors also work in administrative capacities. Many engage in research activities related to the field of medical genetics and genetic counseling (1). KeywordsGenetic CounselingDown SyndromeChromosome AbnormalityTurner SyndromeWilliams SyndromeThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.