Cultural competency in genetic counseling

Abstract

Incorporating a cross-cultural curriculum into genetic counseling training programs demonstrates a professional conviction of genetic counselors that cultural issues are important in genetic counseling. Funded by the Special Projects Fund in 1993 from the National Society of Genetic Counselors and the Kitson Fund from the Department of Social, Organizational, and Counseling Psychology, Teachers College, Columbia University, theHandbook of Cross-Cultural Genetic Counseling was developed to provide genetic counseling programs a curriculum to teach cross-cultural genetic counseling. The theoretical rationale for the development of a cultural curriculum is presented. By expanding cultural knowledge, developing an awareness of oneself and others, and increasing the repertoire of culturally relevant counseling skills within a socio-political context, genetic counselors will be able to better serve all clients seeking genetic counseling.

Multicultural genetic counseling: Then, now, and in the 21st century

“…Thus, a counselor's awareness of his or her own worldview, race, ethnicity, culture, language, and power status and how these variables operate in the lives of his or her self and clients is essential for multicultural counseling competence [Ota Wang, 1994]. …”

“…Thus, clarifying one's own racial and cultural identities, developing self-acceptance, and having the ability to respectfully relate and function with people from all racial±cultural groups have become essential and necessary prerequisites for developing multicultural competence [ Johnson, 1987; Clarifying one's own racial and cultural identities, developing self-acceptance, and having the ability to respectfully relate and function with people from all racial±cultural groups have become essential and necessary prerequisites for developing multicultural competence. Pinderhughes, 1989;Carter, 1995;Ota Wang, 1994Sue et al, 1998;Cheatham, 1999;Tomlinson-Clarke and Ota Wang, 2000].…”

“…Thus, by broadening and including themselves as racial±cultural beings in equally valued cultural worldviews, genetic counselors can begin to develop more culturally responsive strategies for working with their White and visible racial±cultural clients. Thus, a counselor's awareness of his or her own worldview, race, ethnicity, culture, language, and power status and how these variables operate in the lives of his or her self and clients is essential for multicultural counseling competence [Ota Wang, 1994Wang, , 1998].…”

Perception of Genetic Testing for Deafness and Factors Associated with Interest in Genetic Testing Among Deaf People in a Selected Population in Sub‐Saharan Africa

“…Other studies have shown interest in genetic testing among the deaf (Boudreault et al 2010). The differences in reasons and motivations for genetic testing among members of deaf communities indicate genetic counselling services need to consider cultural affiliation of the deaf in the provision of services (Barker 1990;Israel et al 1992;Wang 1994;Wang and Marsh 1992).…”

An Investigation of Relationships among Genetic Counselors’ Supervision Skills and Multicultural Counseling Competence

“…As racial and ethnic diversity increase in the United States, multicultural competence is growing in importance in genetic counseling (Coleman 1998;Lewis 2002;Wang 1994;Wang and Marsh 1992;Weil 2001). Multicultural competence involves a philosophical view that embraces inclusiveness, altruism, community-mindedness, and concern for justice (Sue 1998; Sue et al 1992).…”