Addressing the psychosocial health care of patients and families obtaining genetic services: Identification, disposition and outcomes

The main purpose of this proposal is to make available recent research evidence on psychosocial issues that relate to genetic testing to providers of care and service delivery planners. The molecular biology and genetic testing field is rapidly expanding. It is important to develop valid clinical tools that will assist health care providers to provide genetic information and services. The project will use recent research to develop a tool to help professionals identify individuals who may need assistance in their adjustment to genetic testing. By identifying individuals who need added support, professionals will have the opportunity to provide optimal support and counselling services to these individuals and their families. The study will develop and validate the tool. At the same time, the research team will develop evidence-based guidelines to help professionals identify varying levels of psychological risk and specific information on what type of services or counseling methods are best used for the specific levels of psychological risk. Our proposal has direct relevance for addressing gaps in the delivery of genetics health services in Canada. If the tools developed in the current proposal are effective the ultimate outcome will be improvements in service delivery through greater patient satisfaction, improvements in clinical outcomes, greater confidence among health care professionals and the reduction in the potential for harm.