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ings suggest the importance of empathy during genetic counseling sessions in order
to assess patient needs, particularly with respect to emotional factors.
In a critical review of studies of communication during genetic counseling ses-
sions and counseling outcomes, Meiser et al. ( 2008 ) found higher levels of genetic
counselor empathic responses and lower levels of verbal dominance (ratio of coun-
selor to patient talk) were key factors associated with more positive patient out-
comes. The authors concluded that empathy is an important part of genetic
counseling.
Tluczek et al. ( 2006 ) interviewed parents whose infants had abnormal cystic
fibrosis newborn screening results about their genetic counseling preferences at the
time of their infant’s sweat test. Some parents expressed a preference for emotional
support which included the counselor or nurse showing empathy about their distress.
Parents’ comments about practitioner empathy included that the practitioner convey-
ing warmth and genuine concern was calming; and they variously described empathic
practitioners as “personable, kind, compassionate, caring, [and] friendly” (p. 286).
Selkirk et al. ( 2009 ) surveyed parents of children affected with autism and solicited
their advice for genetic counselors. Their advice included listening to them with
empathy and nonjudgmentalness; understanding and acknowledging their views, feel-
ings, and experiences; and taking their concerns seriously. These researchers recom-
mended that genetic counselors work with geneticists to address the psychosocial
effects of determining a genetic diagnosis. They noted, “...frustration and anger may
be common. Some of the parents in the present study advised genetic counselors to
acknowledge their anger over professionals ignoring their concerns and over difficulty
receiving a diagnosis for their child...Moreover, some parents described feelings of
guilt. Genetic counselors should initiate discussion of such challenges and resulting
feelings, rather than waiting for parents to articulate these emotions” (p. 517).
Kao ( 2010 ) investigated how and why genetic counselors use empathy in genetic
counseling sessions. She asked participants to write empathy responses to a series
of patient scenarios and to explain their responses. Her participants primarily used
empathy to express their understanding of a patient’s situation, provide support, and
help a patient cope with her/his emotional reactions. Kao hypothesized that empa-
thy creates a supportive and understanding relationship which allows patients to
hear medical information and proceed with the decision-making process. These
findings and conclusions support a basic component of the Reciprocal-Engagement
Model (REM) (McCarthy Veach et al. 2007), namely, the genetic counselor-patient
relationship and the role of empathy in promoting that relationship and facilitating
genetic counseling outcomes.
Primary empathy serves several functions, including:
- Encouraging the patient to continue talking
- Providing clarification for both the counselor and the patient
- Making the genetic counselor seem similar to the patient, thus increasing social
attractiveness (the counselor is viewed as warm and likeable) - Providing a model for the patient of how to be empathic