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01-12-2013 | Genetic Counseling: A Global Perspective

Ethical and Professional Challenges of Genetic Counseling – the Case of Austria

Authors: Brigitte Gschmeidler, Magdalena Flatscher-Thoeni

Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling | Issue 6/2013

Abstract

Genetic counseling is gaining in importance with the increasing application of genetic testing for diagnosis and clinical treatment. Genetic counseling often raises ethical and professional challenges and prior research has categorized them into 16 domains. The purpose of this study was to analyze the situation in Austria on the basis of these challenges and discuss it in the national and international context. While in some countries there is a special profession for genetic counseling, in Austria it is provided by medical geneticists or other physicians in the context of their specialization. Psychosocial professionals might be consulted or brought in if necessary. Results from 95 survey respondents (including physicians and psychosocial professionals) revealed a greater interest in the topic of genetic counseling by medical specialists other than medical geneticists. The most frequently encountered challenges among physicians were informed consent, organizational constraints, withholding information, and attaining/maintaining proficiency. The psychosocial professionals experienced maintaining proficiency and organizational constraints as the prevalent challenges. Additional findings and practice implications are presented.

Neo-Socratic dialogue is a method for systematically reflecting basic, ethical questions in a small group based on the participants’ personal experiences (Grießler et al. 2009, p. 280).

It is currently in revision.

oFb 2.0 (http://ofb.msd-media.de)

As in many cases the invitation was sent to an institutional contact with the request to forward it the exact number of people invited cannot be established.

Original statement in German: Meinungsfreiheit und Entscheidungsfreiheit des Klienten ist höchstes Gut.

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Title: Ethical and Professional Challenges of Genetic Counseling – the Case of Austria
Authors: Brigitte Gschmeidler
Magdalena Flatscher-Thoeni
Publication date: 01-12-2013
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Genetic Counseling / Issue 6/2013
Print ISSN: 1059-7700
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3599
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-013-9610-6

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Ethical and Professional Challenges of Genetic Counseling – the Case of Austria

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