title: "Be Prepared if I Bring It Up:" Patients' Perceptions of the Utility of Religious and Spiritual Discussion During Genetic Counseling.
abstract: As debates continue about the relevance of religion to health care, research is needed to guide decisions about whether genetic counselors (GCs) should routinely address religious and/or spiritual (R/S) issues with their patients. We conducted an online survey to gauge patient perspectives on this issue. Among the 70 respondents, frequencies of closed-ended responses and thematic analyses of open-ended responses revealed multiple patient concerns related to R/S discussions with GCs. Although 60 respondents reported being R/S, only a small minority would want to discuss R/S issues if it meant less time discussing medical information. Most respondents also expressed opinions that: 1) genetic counseling should be about science; 2) GCs are not qualified to discuss R/S issues; 3) other outlets are available to meet the needs of patients who want R/S counseling; and/or 4) R/S discussions are more likely to be acceptable if patients broach the topic or in specific circumstances (e.g., when patients are facing end-of life issues). Overall, responses suggest routine or comprehensive R/S assessments or discussions are not necessary and that GCs would be best equipped to help all their patients if they were prepared to listen, be supportive, and make referrals when R/S issues arise in clinic.
authors.affiliation: Spectrum Health, Advanced Technology Laboratories, 145 Michigan Street NE, Suite 6201, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA. a.a.bartenbaker@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Amanda Bartenbaker
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cragun
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, The University of Tampa, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Sumerau
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, The University of Tampa, Tampa, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Cragun
authors.affiliation: Department of Classical and Modern Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: De Gifis
authors.affiliation: Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trepanier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011639:Public Opinion; D012067:Religion; D029181:Spirituality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Genetic counseling content; Patient perspectives; Qualitative research; Religion and health; Religion and spirituality