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01-02-2007 | Original Research

Spiritual Assessment in Genetic Counseling

Authors: Linda M. Reis, Robert Baumiller, William Scrivener, Geoffrey Yager, Nancy Steinberg Warren

Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling | Issue 1/2007

Abstract

One hundred and twenty seven full members of the National Society of Genetic Counselors participated in this study exploring current spiritual assessment practices of genetic counselors and reactions to a spiritual assessment tool. While 60% of genetic counselors reported they had performed a spiritual assessment within the past year, fewer than 8.7% of these counselors assessed spirituality in more than half of their sessions. Counselors reporting high perceived relevance of spiritual assessment performed an assessment more frequently than those reporting a low perceived relevance. Barriers to spiritual assessment included lack of time, insufficient skills, and uncertainty regarding the role of spiritual assessment within genetic counseling. Almost two-thirds of counselors expressed that having a spiritual assessment tool would increase their ability to elicit relevant information. These data suggest a need for increased training regarding the methods for and relevance of spiritual assessment in genetic counseling. Recommendations for future directions of research are explored.

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Title: Spiritual Assessment in Genetic Counseling
Authors: Linda M. Reis
Robert Baumiller
William Scrivener
Geoffrey Yager
Nancy Steinberg Warren
Publication date: 01-02-2007
Publisher: Kluwer Academic Publishers-Plenum Publishers
Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling / Issue 1/2007
Print ISSN: 1059-7700
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3599
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-006-9041-8

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