Exploring the discourse between genetic counselors and Orthodox Jewish community members related to reproductive genetic technology.
OBJECTIVE
Genetic technology is complex, relatively new and involves sensitive issues pertaining to personhood and reproduction. While ethno cultural barriers to genetic care are well documented, little attention has been devoted to understanding religious beliefs pertaining to genetic services. This study evaluated the discourse between genetic counselors and Orthodox Jewish community members' perceptions of reproductive genetic technology.


METHODS
A cross section of the Orthodox Jewish community was sampled through purposeful and snowball recruitment for in-depth interviews with key informants.


RESULTS
Genetic counselors felt apprehensive about serving the Orthodox Jewish population and were unaware of social norms, religious and cultural practices unique to this population. Similarly, Orthodox Jewish consumers exhibited major misgivings about genetic testing. Importantly, stereotypic expectations by both counselors and consumers exacerbated existing communication difficulties.


CONCLUSIONS
Cultural differences and poor communication between genetic counselors and Orthodox Jewish community members impeded the ability of the Orthodox Jewish community to utilize genetic services.


CONCLUSIONS
This work illuminates complex issues pertaining to medical encounters between providers and patients with ideological, social and cultural differences. In particular, issues of access to care and transcultural competence in serving religious minority groups, such as Orthodox Jews are presented. On the whole, this group is largely unrecognized in the minority health literature in spite of barriers and challenges that they face. Findings of this study may have application to other cloistered and highly observant religious groups when dealing with reproductive technology and other populations with diverse values, beliefs and behaviors pertaining to reproductive health.
Mittman
Ilana Suez
IS
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland at Baltimore, School of Medicine, 807 S Clinton Street, Baltimore, MD 21224-4030, USA. imittman@jhsph.edu
Bowie
Janice V
JV
Maman
Suzanne
S
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel / Q000208:ethnology*; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D002977:Clergy / Q000523:psychology; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003144:Communication Barriers; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005821:Genetic Techniques / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007585:Jews / Q000193:education / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000208:ethnology; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012099:Reproductive Techniques / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012945:Social Values / Q000208:ethnology; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States