Wessels-Koole2019
| Wessels-Koole2019 | |
|---|---|
| BibType | ARTICLE |
| Key | Wessels-Koole2019 |
| Author(s) | Tina-Marie Wessels, Tom Koole |
| Title | “There is a chance for me” – Risk communication in advanced maternal age genetic counseling sessions in South Africa |
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| Tag(s) | EMCA, Genetic counseling, Risk communication, Multicultural, Risk perception, In press |
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| Year | 2019 |
| Language | English |
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| Journal | European Journal of Medical Genetics |
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| URL | Link |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmg.2018.12.014 |
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Abstract
Providing risk information is central to genetic counselling. Many studies have examined risk communication, but the focus has been on professional and patient perspectives. Less information is available on risk communication in interactions. This study aimed to examine genetic counselors' (GCs) risks communication in multicultural genetic counseling sessions with women of advanced maternal age (AMA). Six GCs (2–20 years' experience) conducted AMA sessions in English (women's second language). The sessions were video and voice recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data was analysed using conversation analysis (CA). CA examines discourse as a topic, i.e. describing the turns, its functions and how these functions are accomplished. Analysis revealed that the GCs presented the risks of having a baby with a chromosome abnormality in several ways and that they invite the women to reflect on the risk information. This discussion was found to be a five step process and showed that the women responded to the invitation to reflect rather than the risk information itself. It therefore seems that the way in which risks are presented are less important than the meaning of the risks for the women. Examination drawing on CA principles revealed that bothcounselors and women orientated to an interpretation of the risk. The data suggests that the risk is dichotomized by both the women and the counsellors. This is evident in the women and the counsellor's responses. The research showed the power of interactional research such as CA methodology to gain new insights into old problems. Importantly, the study revealed some on the nuances of risk communication in genetic counseling.
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