Contracting in Genetic Counseling
Current genetic counseling job tasks were determined by the American Board of Genetic Counseling as the outcome of a Genetic
Counseling Practice Analysis (Hampel et al., 2009). The following is a list of the Contracting tasks:
- Establish rapport through verbal and non-verbal interaction or through interpreters
- Establish a mutually agreed upon genetic counseling agenda with the client
- Elicit client concerns, expectations, and perceptions
- Determine knowledge-base of client
- Assess client's ethno-cultural background, traditions, health beliefs, attitudes, lifestyles and values
- Outline the genetic evaluation process
- Decrease anxiety for concerns articulated by the client such as:
- on-going emotional distress
- stress precipitated by the referral
- abnormal test results
- perceived goals of genetic testing
- Discuss
- costs of genetic services
- benefits of using health insurance for payment of genetic services
The general contracting strategies used by genetic counselors to develop rapport with their clients can also be used to effectively build rapport with the medical interpreter before the genetic counseling session begins. The more informed the interpreter is about your goals and plans for the session, the better the interpreter will be able to help you communicate effectively with patients who need interpreter services.
