title: Communication of Psychiatric Risk in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Pilot Project.
abstract: Individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) have an increased chance of developing a psychiatric disorder. While parents of children affected by 22q11.2DS typically receive counseling about risk for non-psychiatric health concerns, genetic counselors may be reluctant to discuss psychiatric risk. Further education of genetic counselors may be necessary to encourage discussion of psychiatric risk with these families. The goal of this project was to develop recommendations for genetic counselors to provide psychiatric risk information to families affected by 22q11.2DS. The recommendations were developed by synthesizing resources in the literature about risk communication. These recommendations were refined following an online focus group meeting with five health care professionals who were recruited for participation from 22q11.2DS clinics across the U.S.A. The focus group data revealed three themes related to discussion of psychiatric risk: 1) Stepwise approach, 2) Discussing treatment options and reducing risks, and 3) Addressing stigma. These recommendations may be used as a foundation for a future clinical protocol to encourage discussion about the risk for psychiatric illness at an earlier point in the diagnostic process for 22q11.2DS and to provide improved information, support and resources to affected families.
authors.affiliation: Genetic Counseling Program, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA. sarah.hart@dm.duke.edu.|Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, 905 S. LaSalle St., GSRB I, Box 103857, Durham, NC, 27710, USA. sarah.hart@dm.duke.edu.
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, 905 S. LaSalle St., GSRB I, Box 103857, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schoch
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, 905 S. LaSalle St., GSRB I, Box 103857, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Vandana
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shashi
authors.affiliation: Genetic Counseling Program, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Callanan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D004062:DiGeorge Syndrome / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects
keywords: 22q11.2 deletion syndrome; Mental illness; Psychiatric illness; Psychosis; Risk communication; Schizophrenia; Velocardiofacial syndrome