“Be Prepared if I Bring It Up:” Patients’ Perceptions of the Utility of Religious and Spiritual Discussion During Genetic Counseling

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• 作者：Amanda Bartenbaker Thompson ; Deborah Cragun ; J. E. Sumerau…
• 关键词：Genetic counseling content ; Religion and spirituality ; Religion and health ; Patient perspectives ; Qualitative research
• 刊名：Journal of Genetic Counseling
• 出版年：2016
• 出版时间：October 2016
• 年：2016
• 卷：25
• 期：5
• 页码：945-956
• 全文大小：432 KB
• 刊物类别：Biomedical and Life Sciences
• 刊物主题：Biomedicine
  Human Genetics
  Public Health
  Clinical Psychology
  Gynecology
  Ethics
  
• 出版者：Springer Netherlands
• ISSN：1573-3599
• 卷排序：25

文摘

As debates continue about the relevance of religion to health care, research is needed to guide decisions about whether genetic counselors (GCs) should routinely address religious and/or spiritual (R/S) issues with their patients. We conducted an online survey to gauge patient perspectives on this issue. Among the 70 respondents, frequencies of closed-ended responses and thematic analyses of open-ended responses revealed multiple patient concerns related to R/S discussions with GCs. Although 60 respondents reported being R/S, only a small minority would want to discuss R/S issues if it meant less time discussing medical information. Most respondents also expressed opinions that: 1) genetic counseling should be about science; 2) GCs are not qualified to discuss R/S issues; 3) other outlets are available to meet the needs of patients who want R/S counseling; and/or 4) R/S discussions are more likely to be acceptable if patients broach the topic or in specific circumstances (e.g., when patients are facing end-of life issues). Overall, responses suggest routine or comprehensive R/S assessments or discussions are not necessary and that GCs would be best equipped to help all their patients if they were prepared to listen, be supportive, and make referrals when R/S issues arise in clinic.