"Our Job is that Whole Gray Zone in Between There": Investigating Genetic Counselors' Strategies for Managing and Communicating Uncertainty.

"Our Job is that Whole Gray Zone in Between There": Investigating Genetic Counselors' Strategies for Managing and Communicating Uncertainty.

Zhong, Lingzi;Woo, Jihun;Steinhardt, Mary A;Vangelisti, Anita L;
Health Communication 2019 pp. 1-10
314
zhong2019ourhealth

Abstract

Ample research suggests that uncertainty is a major concern for individuals undergoing genetic testing and for genetic mutation carriers, and that their management of uncertainty is largely influenced by healthcare providers, including genetic counselors (GCs). Indeed, uncertainty is inherent in genetic testing results. To help patients grapple with uncertainty, GCs need to effectively manage the uncertainty inherent in genetic testing and communicate it appropriately to patients. The present study aimed to identify GCs' strategies for managing uncertainty and communicating uncertainty to patients. Eighteen GCs participated in five focus group interviews, and the data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Findings indicated that GCs used three main strategies to manage uncertainty: becoming lifelong learners, normalizing uncertainty, and seeking social support. To communicate uncertainty to patients, GCs also used three different strategies: engaging in open and honest communication, adapting to patients' needs, and focusing on known information. The implications of these findings for uncertainty theories and for conceptual frameworks of GCs' clinical communication are discussed.

Citation

ID: 49522
Ref Key: zhong2019ourhealth
Use this key to autocite in SciMatic or Thesis Manager

References

Blockchain Verification

Account:
NFT Contract Address:
0x95644003c57E6F55A65596E3D9Eac6813e3566dA
Article ID:
49522
Unique Identifier:
10.1080/10410236.2019.1654171
Network:
Scimatic Chain (ID: 481)
Loading...
Blockchain Readiness Checklist
Authors
Abstract
Journal Name
Year
Title
5/5
Creates 1,000,000 NFT tokens for this article
Token Features:
  • ERC-1155 Standard NFT
  • 1 Million Supply per Article
  • Transferable via MetaMask
  • Permanent Blockchain Record
Blockchain QR Code
Scan with Saymatik Web3.0 Wallet

Saymatik Web3.0 Wallet