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01-08-2009 | Original Research

A Comparative Analysis of Ethical and Professional Challenges Experienced by Australian and U.S. Genetic Counselors

Authors: Sarah Alliman, Patricia McCarthy Veach, Dianne M. Bartels, Fengqin Lian, Carolyn James, Bonnie S. LeRoy

Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling | Issue 4/2009

Abstract

Ethical issues are an inevitable part of genetic counseling practice. Prior research identified 16 domains of ethical and professional challenges encountered by practitioners in the United States. In order to further validate these domains, the present study surveyed Australian genetic counselors. Sixty-three respondents rated the frequency with which they encountered each domain, and 39 individuals also provided personal anecdotes detailing their most challenging ethical and professional dilemmas. Every domain reportedly was experienced by the Australian sample. However, there were some differences between Australian respondents and U.S. genetic counselors in frequencies of domain occurrence, and in strategies recommended for resolving them. Several anecdotes illustrate challenging situations due to Australia’s geography, universal healthcare system, and the genetic counseling profession’s evolution in that country. The results generally validate domains identified for U.S. genetic counselors. They further suggest that certain ethical issues may manifest in ways unique to a given country, and therefore they must be addressed in a culturally-appropriate manner.

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Title: A Comparative Analysis of Ethical and Professional Challenges Experienced by Australian and U.S. Genetic Counselors
Authors: Sarah Alliman
Patricia McCarthy Veach
Dianne M. Bartels
Fengqin Lian
Carolyn James
Bonnie S. LeRoy
Publication date: 01-08-2009
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling / Issue 4/2009
Print ISSN: 1059-7700
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3599
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-009-9229-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

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A Comparative Analysis of Ethical and Professional Challenges Experienced by Australian and U.S. Genetic Counselors

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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