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Guimarães L, Baião R, Costa C, Lemos M, Henriques MR, Paneque M. Genetic counselling supervision: Luxury or necessity? A qualitative study with genetic healthcare professionals in Portugal. Eur J Med Genet 2024; 67:104908. [PMID: 38143024 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2023.104908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a significant technological evolution in the field of genetics, leading to an increase in the number of professionals working in medical genetics and, consequently, a tremendous growth in genetic counselling. At the same time, there has been a growing recognition of the parameters on which to base a safe practice, not only regarding the technical skills of the professional but also regarding their counselling skills, including relational and empathy skills and the acknowledgement of the emotional impact that genetic counselling practice can have. However, despite this growing knowledge, there are still significant differences between the various European countries, and one area where this discrepancy is particularly evident is genetic counselling supervision. Thus, if there are countries where genetic counselling supervision is not even known by the professionals, there are others where it is mandatory for practice. This research had as an objective to understand if and how genetic counselling supervision is provided in Portugal, to identify routines, challenges and impacts of genetic counselling that should be explored in a supervision process and comprehend how professionals believe supervision should be conducted to be effective. A total of sixteen medical geneticists from main Portuguese genetic services were present in two online focus groups. None of the participants had access to genetic counselling supervision as a programmed routine and there was a consensus that a service of this kind would be particularly important for the professionals as genetic counselling has frequently challenging and emotional moments. Aspects regarding clinical supervision, the characteristics of the supervisor and the practical aspects of genetic counselling supervision implementation were also mentioned during the discussions. These results highlight the relevancy of the establishment of GC supervision routines and standardized guidelines in our country, as well as a need for evidence-based research focused on its impact at professional and practice level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lídia Guimarães
- i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health. University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; CGPP - Center for Predictive and Preventive Genetics. University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ICBAS. School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; AAJUDE - Associação de Apoio à Juventude Deficiente, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ruxanda Baião
- ICBAS. School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Catarina Costa
- i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health. University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology. University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; CGPP - Center for Predictive and Preventive Genetics. University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; FMUP - Faculty of Medicine. University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Marina Lemos
- FPCEUP - Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences. University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; CPUP - Center of Psychology. University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Rangel Henriques
- FPCEUP - Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences. University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; CPUP - Center of Psychology. University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Milena Paneque
- i3S - Institute for Research and Innovation in Health. University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; IBMC - Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology. University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; CGPP - Center for Predictive and Preventive Genetics. University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; ICBAS. School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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