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01-02-2012 | Original Research

A Survey of Ethical and Professional Challenges Experienced by Spanish Health-Care Professionals that Provide Genetic Counseling Services

Authors: Reyes Abad-Perotín, Ángel Asúnsolo-Del Barco, Agustín Silva-Mato

Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling | Issue 1/2012

Abstract

Genetic testing is increasingly applied for diagnosis and clinical treatment. In some countries, genetic counseling services are provided by professionals with specific training in this discipline, whereas other countries have no teaching programs and counseling is offered by physicians, nurses, pharmacists or biochemists. This counseling raises more and more ethical dilemmas for health professionals at their clinics. The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of Spanish professionals devoted to providing genetic counseling services and to investigate the frequency of the ethical dilemmas they face. Results from 72 survey respondents revealed this counseling is provided by an almost even number of male and female professionals, mostly physicians with many years of professional experience. The overall frequency of the ethical dilemmas encountered was not high. The most frequent dilemmas corresponded to emotional responses by patients, informed consent, uncertainty about test results, and limitations on health-care resources. The frequency of dilemmas involving discrimination and provider directiveness was very low. Additional findings, practice implications, and research recommendations are presented.

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Title: A Survey of Ethical and Professional Challenges Experienced by Spanish Health-Care Professionals that Provide Genetic Counseling Services
Authors: Reyes Abad-Perotín
Ángel Asúnsolo-Del Barco
Agustín Silva-Mato
Publication date: 01-02-2012
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling / Issue 1/2012
Print ISSN: 1059-7700
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3599
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-011-9382-9

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A Survey of Ethical and Professional Challenges Experienced by Spanish Health-Care Professionals that Provide Genetic Counseling Services

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