Games in clinical genetic counseling supervision

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Psychology
• Genetic Counseling

Background:

• Games are defined as interactions with hidden motives, ranging from harmless to destructive.
• Destructive game-playing in clinical supervision can hinder student training in healthcare professions.
• Such dynamics have not been previously studied in genetic counseling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the occurrence and nature of destructive game-playing in genetic counseling clinical supervision.
• To document specific games observed in this setting.
• To initiate dialogue and awareness regarding these issues.

Main Methods:

• Anonymous survey distributed to genetic counselors and clinical supervisors.
• Survey focused on experiences with destructive game-playing during clinical supervision.

Main Results:

• Destructive game-playing was confirmed to occur in genetic counseling clinical supervision.
• Identified games included those previously described in other professions and potentially unique ones.
• The findings highlight the presence of these dynamics within the field.

Conclusions:

• Destructive games are a reality in genetic counseling training.
• Documenting these games is a crucial first step toward addressing them.
• Increased awareness can lead to improved supervision and training outcomes.