Genetic Counseling for Indigenous Australians: an Exploratory Study from the Perspective of Genetic Health Professionals

• Published in: Journal of genetic counseling Vol. 24; no. 4; pp. 597 - 607
• Main Authors: Kowal, Emma, Gallacher, Lyndon, Macciocca, Ivan, Sahhar, Margaret
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-08-2015; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders; Access; Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Australia; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Clinical Psychology; Cooperative Behavior; Cultural competence; Cultural Competency - psychology; Culture; Ethics; Female; Genetic counseling; Genetic Counseling - psychology; Genetic health services; Gynecology; Health Services Needs and Demand; Human Genetics; Humans; Indigenous Australians; Interdisciplinary Communication; Interview, Psychological; Male; Native peoples; Oceanic Ancestry Group - psychology; Original Research; Professional-Patient Relations; Public Health; Qualitative Research; Studies; Australia; Cultural competence; Genetic counseling; Access; Genetic health services; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders; Indigenous Australians; Culture
• ISSN: 1059-7700; 1573-3599
• DOI: 10.1007/s10897-014-9782-8

Indigenous populations are thought to have particularly low levels of access to genetic health services, and cultural issues may be a contributing factor. This article presents the findings of the first study of genetic health service provision to Indigenous Australians. This qualitative study aimed to identify elements of culturally-competent genetic health service provision in Indigenous Australian contexts. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with genetic counselors and clinical geneticists from around Australia who had delivered services to Indigenous Australians. Participants were asked to describe their experiences and identify any collective cultural needs of Indigenous clients, as well as comment on specific training and resources they had received or used. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed with thematic analysis conducted on the data. The findings show that participants were reluctant to generalize the needs of Indigenous peoples. Some participants asserted that Indigenous peoples have needs that differ from the general population, while others felt that there were no collective cultural needs, instead advocating an individualized approach. Being flexible and practical, taking time to build rapport, recognizing different family structures and decision-making processes, as well as socio-economic disadvantage were all identified as important factors in participants’ interactions with Indigenous clients. Indigenous support workers and hospital liaison officers were seen as valuable resources for effective service provision. The implications of this study for training and practice are discussed.