GC Chat: A Genetic Counselling Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In our final episode of the season, we discuss the counselling issues and interventions raised in episode 4: insurance, and have guest input from insurance expert Dr Jane Tiller.

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Sound engineer: Shaun Allen

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References mentioned in our discussion:

• Centre for Genetics Education fact sheet: Life Insurance Products and Genetic Testing in Australia. https://www.genetics.edu.au/SitePages/Life-insurance-products-and-genetic-testing-in-Australia.aspx  

• Clarke & Wallgren-Pettersson (2019). Ethics in genetic counselling. Journal of  Community Genetics https://doi.org/10.1007/s12687-018-0371-7 

• The DNA Screen study: https://dnascreen.monash.edu/index.html  

• Human Genetics Society of Australasia Code of Ethics: https://www.hgsa.org.au/common/Uploaded%20files/pdfs/policies,%20position%20statements%20and%20guidelines/genetic%20counselling/Code%20of%20Ethics%20for%20GC.pdf [original]; https://hgsa.org.au/common/Uploaded%20files/pdfs/policies,%20position%20statements%20and%20guidelines/members%20only%20policies/HGSA%20Code%20of%20Ethics-%20Guideline.pdf [updated]

• Keenan, et al., (2013). How Do Partners Find out About the Risk of Huntington's Disease in Couple Relationships? Journal of Genetic Counseling https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-012-9562-2 

• MacLeod et al., (2013). Editorial Committee and Working Group 'Genetic Testing Counselling' of the European Huntington Disease Network. Recommendations for the predictive genetic test in Huntington's disease. Clinical Genetics https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-0004.2012.01900.x 

• Reeder, et al.,(2017). Characterizing Clinical Genetic Counselors' Countertransference Experiences: an Exploratory Study. Journal of Genetic Counseling https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-016-0063-6

• Tiller, et al., (2023). Final Stakeholder Report of the Australian Genetics and Life Insurance Moratorium: Monitoring the Effectiveness and Response (A-GLIMMER) Project. Monash University. https://doi.org/10.26180/23564538.v1 

• Updates regarding the ban on the use of adverse genetic testing results on life insurance: https://treasury.gov.au/consultation/c2025-626785 ; https://ministers.treasury.gov.au/ministers/stephen-jones-2022/media-releases/total-ban-use-adverse-genetic-testing-results-life

In our penultimate episode of the season, we begin by discussing the counselling issues and interventions raised in episode 3: Opening the envelope. We'll then present this week's case, where the GC faced a difficult situation in predictive test counselling for an adult-onset condition without any treatments. 

Support us by buying a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/gcchatpod

Sound engineer: Shaun Allen

You will find suggestions for support, our privacy statement and disclaimer, and more information about topics referenced in our discussion on our website. https://gcchatpodcast.libsyn.com/ 

You can find us on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky. Join the discussion with #GCchatpodcast

References mentioned in our discussion:

• Crook et al., (2022). Genetic counseling and testing practices for late-onset neurodegenerative disease: A systematic review. Journal of Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-021-10461-5 

• Guimarães, et al. (2013). What Counts as Effective Genetic Counselling for Presymptomatic Testing in Late-Onset Disorders? A Study of the Consultand's Perspective. Journal of Genetic Counseling  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10897-012-9561-3 

• Howard, et al., (2024). Experiences of predictive genetic testing in inherited motor neuron disease: Findings from a qualitative interview study. Journal of Genetic Counseling. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.1904  

• MacLeod et al., (2013). Editorial Committee and Working Group 'Genetic Testing Counselling' of the European Huntington Disease Network. Recommendations for the predictive genetic test in Huntington's disease. Clinical Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-0004.2012.01900.x

• Vears, et al., (2020). Human Genetics Society of Australasia Position Statement: Predictive and Presymptomatic Genetic Testing in Adults and Children. Twin Research and Human Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1017/thg.2020.51

In today's episode we begin by reflecting on the skills and interventions used in episode 7: The diagnostic odyssey. As this is our last episode for season 2, we don't have a new case to present. We will be reflecting together on what we have learned over the past two seasons. 

References we found useful in our discussion:  

• Ingles, J., & Semsarian, C. (2007). Sudden cardiac death in the young: a clinical genetic approach. Internal Medicine Journal, 37(1), 32-37. doi:10.1111/j.1445-5994.2006.01241.x
• Stattin, E.-L., Westin, I. M., Cederquist, K., Jonasson, J., Jonsson, B.-A., Mörner, S., . . . Wisten, A. (2016). Genetic screening in sudden cardiac death in the young can save future lives. International journal of legal medicine, 130(1), 59-66. doi:10.1007/s00414-015-1237-8
• Helm, B. M. (2015). Exploring the genetic counselor's role in facilitating meaning-making: rare disease diagnoses. J Genet Couns, 24(2), 205-212. doi:10.1007/s10897-014-9812-6
• Douglas, H. A. (2014). Promoting meaning-making to help our patients grieve: an exemplar for genetic counselors and other health care professionals. J Genet Couns, 23(5), 695-700. doi:10.1007/s10897-014-9731-6

Join the discussion on social media with #GCchatpodcast 

On our website, you will find suggestions for support, our privacy statement and disclaimer, and more information about topics referenced in our discussion. 

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In today's episode we begin by reflecting on the skills and interventions used in episode 6: building trust. We will then present our next case, in which the genetic counsellor reflected on the diagnostic odyssey faced by her client.

References we found useful in our discussion:  

• Bernhardt, B. A., Rushton, C. H., Carrese, J., Pyeritz, R. E., Kolodner, K., & Geller, G. (2009). Distress and burnout among genetic service providers. Genetics in medicine : official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics, 11(7), 527-535. doi:10.1097/GIM.0b013e3181a6a1c2
• Bernhardt, B. A., Silver, R., Rushton, C. H., Micco, E., & Geller, G. (2010). What keeps you up at night? Genetics professionals' distressing experiences in patient care. Genet Med, 12(5), 289-297. doi:10.1097/GIM.0b013e3181db82d9
• Injeyan, M. C., Shuman, C., Shugar, A., Chitayat, D., Atenafu, E. G., & Kaiser, A. (2011). Personality traits associated with genetic counselor compassion fatigue: The roles of dispositional optimism and locus of control. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 20(5), 526-540. doi:10.1007/s10897-011-9379-4
• Lee, W., Veach, P. M., MacFarlane, I. M., & LeRoy, B. S. (2015). Who is at risk for compassion fatigue? An investigation of genetic counselor demographics, anxiety, compassion satisfaction, and burnout. J Genet Couns, 24(2), 358-370. doi:10.1007/s10897-014-9716-5
• Silver, J., Caleshu, C., Casson-Parkin, S., & Ormond, K. (2018). Mindfulness Among Genetic Counselors Is Associated with Increased Empathy and Work Engagement and Decreased Burnout and Compassion Fatigue. J Genet Couns, 27(5), 1175-1186. doi:10.1007/s10897-018-0236-6
• https://www.heti.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/courses-and-programs/international-medical-graduate-information/cultural-awareness

Join the discussion on social media with #GCchatpodcast 

On our website, you will find suggestions for support, our privacy statement and disclaimer, and more information about topics referenced in our discussion. 

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In today's episode we begin by reflecting on the skills and interventions used in episode 5: Setting boundaries. We will then present our next case on building and maintaining trust in genetic counselling. 

References we found useful in our discussion:  

• Reeder, Veach, MacFarlane, & LeRoy (2017), Characterizing Clinical Genetic Counselors' Countertransference Experiences: An Exploratory Study. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 26(5), 934–947.
• Volz, Valverde, & Robbins (2018), Effects of Genetic Counselor Self-Disclosure: an Experimental Analog Study. Journal of Genetic Counseling. doi: 10.1007/s10897-018-0283-z. [Epub ahead of print]
• Balcom, Veach, Bemmels, Redlinger-Grosse, & LeRoy (2013), When the topic is you: genetic counselor responses to prenatal patients' requests for self-disclosure. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 22(3), 358-73. doi: 10.1007/s10897-012-9554-2.

Join the discussion on social media with #GCchatpodcast 

On our website, you will find suggestions for support, our privacy statement and disclaimer, and more information about topics referenced in our discussion. 

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Thank you for joining us for our latest episode. We will begin by reflecting on the skills and interventions used in episode 4: do no harm. We will then present our next case, in which the genetic counsellor had difficulty maintaining professional boundaries with her client.

A reference we found useful in our discussion: Leefmann, J, Schaper, M & Schicktanz, S. (2017). The Concept of "Genetic Responsibility" and Its Meanings: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Medical Sociology Literature. Frontiers in Sociology. 1. 10.3389/fsoc.2016.00018.

Join the discussion on social media with #GCchatpodcast 

On our website, you will find suggestions for support, our privacy statement and disclaimer, and more information about topics referenced in our discussion. 

http://www.gcchatpodcast.libsyn.com

In this episode, we begin by discussing the counselling issues and interventions raised in episode 3: sitting with discomfort. We'll then present this week's case, which starts with Hannah's* phone call to the genetics service.

We'll be taking a break for the holidays, and will return in the new year to reflect on this episode and introduce new cases.

References we found useful in our discussion:

• Resources developed by Mental Health First Aid Australia www.mhfa.com.au
• Beyond Blue www.beyondblue.org.au 
• Lifeline www.lifeline.org.au 

Join the discussion on social media with #GCchatpodcast 

On our website, you will find suggestions for support, our privacy statement and disclaimer, and more information about topics referenced in our discussion. 

http://www.gcchatpodcast.libsyn.com

In this episode, we begin by discussing the counselling issues and interventions raised in case 2: reflecting on the past. We'll then present this week's case: a couple referred to discuss genetic testing for cardiomyopathy.

References mentioned in our discussion:

• Schwartz, M, et al. Randomized noninferiority trial of telephone versus in-person genetic counseling for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology 2014 32:7, 618-626
• Cohen, S, Huziak, R, Gustafson, S and Grubs, R. Analysis of advantages, limitations, and barriers of genetic counseling service delivery models. J Genet Counsel (2016) 25: 1010. 
• Edwards JC, Brannan JR, Burgess L et al. Case presentation format and clinical reasoning: a strategy for teaching medical students. Medical Teacher 1987;9:285–292.
• Goldberg C. A practical guide to clinical medicine: overview and general information about oral presentation. 2009. University of California, San Diego. Available from: https://meded.ecsd.edu/clinicalmed.oral.htm 

Join the discussion on social media with #GCchatpodcast 

On our website, you will find suggestions for support, our privacy statement and disclaimer, and more information about topics referenced in our discussion. 

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In this episode, we begin by reflecting on the counselling interventions and issues raised in episode 1: Opposing views.  We then introduce the case of Frances*, who requested prenatal diagnosis for a condition known to be in her family.

References mentioned in our discussion:

• McCarthy Veach P, Leroy BS, Callanan NP (eds.) (2003) Structuring the Genetic Counseling Session: Initiating, Contracting, Ending, and Referral. In: Facilitating the Genetic Counseling Process. Springer, New York, NY.
• Hintermair M. Hearing impairment, social networks, and coping: The need for families with hearing-impaired children to relate to other parents and to hearing-impaired adults, American Annals of the Deaf , 2000, vol. 145 (pg. 41-51).
• Richter B, Spahn C, Zschocke I, Leuchter M, Laszig R, Löhle E. [Psychological stress, knowledge and treatment expectation of parents with a child managed by cochlear implant]. HNO. 2000 Sep;48(9) 675-683. 

Join the discussion on social media with #GCchatpodcast 

On our website, you will find suggestions for support, our privacy statement and disclaimer, and more information about topics referenced in our discussion. 

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*Pseudonyms are used throughout

Welcome to GC Chat Podcast Season 2! In this episode, we introduce our first case: a couple who have different perspectives on their baby's diagnosis. 

Join the discussion on social media with #GCchatpodcast 

On our website, you will find suggestions for support, our privacy statement and disclaimer, and more information about topics referenced in our discussion. http://www.gcchatpodcast.libsyn.com