Characterization of the Practice and Attitudes of Genetic Counselors with Doctoral Degrees

Abstract

Potential advantages and disadvantages of doctoral training in genetic counseling have been debated. In this study, individual interviews were conducted to characterize the practice and attitudes of genetic counselors who have achieved doctoral degrees in any field. Participants (N=31) were more likely to spend time in research and less likely to spend time in clinic than genetic counselors in general. Advantages identified by participants were consistent with theorized advantages, and included increased knowledge, wider research roles, additional opportunities and greater respect. Disadvantages identified by participants focused more on individual perspectives than previously theorized profession-wide disadvantages. These included increased time commitment and decreased patient contact. The attitudes of participants towards the development of doctoral training in genetic counseling were generally positive. The results suggest that doctoral training in genetic counseling would have more benefits than drawbacks for individuals pursuing this degree.

Employability of Genetic Counselors with a PhD in Genetic Counseling

“…Drawbacks to this degree were also identified, including concern that the degree might replace the MS degree and create difficulty for the master's prepared genetic counselors to find employment. These concerns paralleled the concerns voiced almost 20 years earlier during the first public discussions about developing a PhD in genetic counseling (Walker et al 1990;Atzinger et al 2007).…”

“…The perspectives of individuals who identify themselves as genetic counselors and obtained a PhD degree in another field were assessed by Atzinger et al (2007) in a qualitative study investigating the practices and attitudes of genetic counselors with PhD degrees. Atzinger et al (2007) interviewed 31 practicing genetic counselors with a PhD degree in various fields they obtained either before or after receiving a master's degree in genetic counseling. In general, the participants felt having a PhD degree increased their knowledge, allowed for expanded research roles, and provided additional career opportunities and greater respect.…”

“…Yet, all participants in the study were in agreement that the advantages of the doctoral degree far outweighed the disadvantages. A majority felt development of a PhD in genetic counseling would have a positive impact by broadening the research base of the field and securing the place of the profession in the overall area of genetics (Atzinger et al 2007). Drawbacks to this degree were also identified, including concern that the degree might replace the MS degree and create difficulty for the master's prepared genetic counselors to find employment.…”

“…Although these concerns are untested in genetic counseling, we can learn from the experience of other allied health disciplines which have added PhD degrees after previously offering only master's level training. Atzinger et al (2007) indicate that today, doctoral degrees are offered in the fields of nursing, social work, physical therapy, audiology, pharmacy, optometry, podiatry, and psychology. Although some disciplines have established the doctoral degree as the terminal and only advanced degree in the field, the master's degree continues to be an available training option in the fields of nursing, social work, and psychology (Atzinger et al 2007).…”

“…Atzinger et al (2007) indicate that today, doctoral degrees are offered in the fields of nursing, social work, physical therapy, audiology, pharmacy, optometry, podiatry, and psychology. Although some disciplines have established the doctoral degree as the terminal and only advanced degree in the field, the master's degree continues to be an available training option in the fields of nursing, social work, and psychology (Atzinger et al 2007). Leaders in the field of psychology maintain the argument that master's prepared psychologists meet the service needs of the community and fill clinical positions for which PhD prepared psychologists would be overqualified (Trent 1993).…”