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Clients' interpretation of risks provided in genetic counseling
American Journal of Human Genetics
|August 1, 1986
Summary
Clients often interpret genetic risks as "moderate" even when numerical risks increase, impacting their understanding of birth defect probabilities. This highlights challenges in communicating genetic risk effectively during counseling sessions.
Area of Science:
- Medical Genetics
- Psychology
- Risk Communication
Background:
- Genetic counseling provides crucial information about risks of birth defects.
- Understanding client interpretation of numerical risks is vital for effective counseling.
- Cognitive biases can influence risk perception in medical contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze how clients interpret numerical risks for birth defects.
- To identify factors influencing client perception of genetic risk.
- To explore implications for improving genetic counseling practices.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 544 genetic counseling sessions.
- Clients interpreted numerical risks (0-50%) on a five-point scale.
- Stepwise linear regression identified factors associated with risk interpretation.
Main Results:
- Client interpretation shifted from direct correlation below 15% risk to a consistent "moderate" interpretation between 15% and 50%.
- Increased numerical risk correlated with greater uncertainty about a child's normalcy.
- Factors like in-depth discussion of having an affected child and disorder severity influenced "pessimistic" interpretations.
Conclusions:
- Client understanding of genetic risk is not always linear and can be influenced by psychological factors.
- Counseling needs to address cognitive heuristics affecting risk perception.
- Tailored communication strategies are essential for accurate risk assessment in genetic counseling.