Developing a broad-based model for genetic counseling
There is presently considerable discussion directed to developing a contemporary working model for genetic counseling. This is due to the expanding role for medical genetics and the increasingly complex information and decision making involved. The following conceptual model and suggestions are a contribution to this discussion. Genetic counseling may be considered to have two components. One is circumstances and practices that are relatively unique to genetic counseling. These include the genetic etiology, which affects individual and family psychodynamics in addition to inheritance patterns; the importance of providing information; and the high frequency of explicit decision making. The second component consists of academic and clinical professions from which genetic counseling has drawn for theory and practice. These include genetics, clinical psychology, health psychology, sociology, nursing, medicine, ethnocultural studies, etc. The creative work of developing a more comprehensive model lies at the intersection of these components. This involves understanding the relatively unique aspects of genetic counseling, drawing more fully from the relevant contributing professions, and identifying how to incorporate those contributions into genetic counseling. Contemporary psychosocial theory and practice of genetic counseling have been developed primarily from clinical psychology and related fields such as couple and family counseling. Contributions from other professions such as health psychology and sociology have the potential to substantially broaden the theoretical base and clinical skills with which genetic counselors serve their patients. Relevant research and analysis to further incorporate these professions would increase the value of genetic counseling to individual patients and within the health care system. Such broadening might also help overcome current limitations to implementing the psychosocial aspects of genetic counseling.