Comparing genetic counseling with non-genetic health care interactions: two of a kind?

OBJECTIVE: Increasingly clinicians other than genetic counselors will advise people with genetic risks. Although some express concerns about this development because of the need for non-genetic clinicians to have additional training, we argue that genetic counseling has more in common with other health care interactions than is generally assumed. METHODS: In this narrative review we investigate the health communication literature taking the perspective that all provider-patient/client interactions share the following goals: forming a relationship, the exchange of information, decision making, promoting health-related behavior and providing support. RESULTS: We found that both non-genetic and genetic 'disciplines' endorse an egalitarian relationship, based on a patient-centered approach and both have difficulties with attuning to the patients' agendas and enhancing patient understanding. Shared decision making is increasingly the preferred model for geneticists and non-geneticists alike, and both need skills to constructively discuss patients' risk-reducing behavior and provide emotional support. CONCLUSION: Rather than developing separate vocabularies and research traditions, the discipline of genetic counseling may benefit by drawing on non-genetic patient-provider interaction research. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Since geneticists face the same challenges as non-geneticists, medical training should continue to improve basic consultation skills, regardless of whether the consultation involves genetic information