374
You may wonder how you will find time for reflection in a busy clinical or other
professional setting. Keep in mind that it is not the quantity but, rather, the quality of
your reflection that matters. Take time to think about how your views about your patients’
situations have changed over time or have been impacted by things happening in your
own life. Do you find that you view your pregnant patients’ concerns differently since
becoming pregnant yourself? Has a challenge to your own health or the health of a close
relative altered the way you approach patients when discussing their health concerns?
You may find yourself reflecting on clinical cases or other situations during your
commute to and from work. Or you might informally discuss difficult cases or prob-
lematic situations with your colleagues. These types of discussions can provide valu-
able insights about your own reactions to those situations as well as helpful
suggestions and strategies for dealing with similar situations in the future. More
formal case conferences can serve a similar purpose. Zahm ( 2010 ) suggests you
consider the following questions as catalysts for reflective practice: “Notice an expe-
rience, remember it, and think about it and the nuances. What happened and how?
How did it affect me? What did I learn from this? How does/did this experience affect
me personally? Professionally? How has my genetic counseling practice changed
because of this experience? How do I want it to change? What do I wish I had done
differently? What will I do differently in the future? How does this experience influ-
ence my view of humanity? My view of the practice of genetic counseling? Consider
discussing your answers to these questions with trusted others” (p. 371).
13.6 Closing Comments
In this chapter, we discussed motivations for choosing a career in genetic counsel-
ing, professional values, and guiding ethical principles. We presented strategies for
managing ethical challenges. We also discussed professional development and the
importance of reflective practice.
As a practicing genetic counselor, you will continue to gain experience, develop
your expertise, and expand your skills. You will have an impact on your patients,
colleagues, and students, and they will have an impact on you. We encourage you to
engage in activities that will enable you to remain enthusiastic about your work,
regardless of where your professional journey leads you. Trust yourself, learn from
your experiences, and be genuine and compassionate with others and with yourself.
13.7 Class Activities
Activity 1: Motivations to Be a Genetic Counselor (Think-Pair-
Share Dyads)
Pairs of students discuss with a classmate the major reasons they decided to become
a genetic counselor. Identify together the strengths and limitations these reasons
may bring to their practice.
Estimated time: 20 min.
13 Professionalism: Ethically Based Reflective Practice