A survey of Australasian genetic counsellor's views on cultural difference and consanguinity
In Australia our community is becoming increasingly ethnoculturally diverse. An awareness of the changing needs of our clients and culturally sensitivity is an ongoing challenge. As part of a larger study exploring genetic counselling models and transcultural genetic counselling, we investigated Australasian genetic counsellors opinions on cultural difference and consanguinity. Genetic counsellors were invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire and we present quantitative and qualitative data obtained. We explored issues such as how genetic counsellors perceived cultural difference, whether they changed their practice changed in response to perceived client’s needs and whether they felt their training adequately equipped them to deal with cultural difference. We also collected previously unknown demographic data on our respondents. We discuss the significance of the findings for the practice of effective transcultural genetic counselling in Australia and New Zealand.