Ashvinder K Bhogal1, Fern Brunger. 1. Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Health Sciences Centre, St John's, Nfld A1B 3V6. ashvinderk@hotmail.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To help family physicians practise effective genetic counseling and offer practical strategies for cross-cultural communication in the context of prenatal genetic counseling. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: PubMed and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched. Most evidence was level II and some was level III. MAIN MESSAGE: The values and beliefs of practitioners, no less than those of patients, are shaped by culture. In promoting a patient's best interest, the assumptions of both the patient and the provider must be held up for examination and discussed in the attempt to arrive at a consensus. Through the explicit discussion and formation of trust, the health professionals, patients, and family members who are involved can develop a shared understanding of appropriate therapeutic goals and methods. CONCLUSION: Reflecting on the cultural nature of biomedicine's ideas about risk, disability, and normality helps us to realize that there are many valid interpretations of what is in a patient's best interest. Self-reflection helps to ensure that respectful communication with the specific family and patient is the basis for health care decisions. Overall, this helps to improve the quality of care.
OBJECTIVE: To help family physicians practise effective genetic counseling and offer practical strategies for cross-cultural communication in the context of prenatal genetic counseling. SOURCES OF INFORMATION: PubMed and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched. Most evidence was level II and some was level III. MAIN MESSAGE: The values and beliefs of practitioners, no less than those of patients, are shaped by culture. In promoting a patient's best interest, the assumptions of both the patient and the provider must be held up for examination and discussed in the attempt to arrive at a consensus. Through the explicit discussion and formation of trust, the health professionals, patients, and family members who are involved can develop a shared understanding of appropriate therapeutic goals and methods. CONCLUSION: Reflecting on the cultural nature of biomedicine's ideas about risk, disability, and normality helps us to realize that there are many valid interpretations of what is in a patient's best interest. Self-reflection helps to ensure that respectful communication with the specific family and patient is the basis for health care decisions. Overall, this helps to improve the quality of care.
Authors: Sean M Blaine; June C Carroll; Andrea L Rideout; Gord Glendon; Wendy Meschino; Cheryl Shuman; Deanna Telner; Natasha Van Iderstine; Joanne Permaul Journal: J Genet Couns Date: 2008-01-30 Impact factor: 2.537
Authors: Kofi A Anie; Marsha J Treadwell; Althea M Grant; Jemima A Dennis-Antwi; Mabel K Asafo; Mary E Lamptey; Jelili Ojodu; Careema Yusuf; Ayo Otaigbe; Kwaku Ohene-Frempong Journal: J Community Genet Date: 2016-04-18