Communication Analysis of BRCA1 Genetic Counseling

Authors:
Lee Ellington (1), Debra Roter (2), William N. Dudley (1), Bonnie J. Baty (3), Renn Upchurch (4), Susan Larson (2), Jean E. Wylie (5), Ken R. Smith (6) and Jeffrey R. Botkin (7)

Author Affiliations:
(1) University of Utah College of Nursing, 10 S 2000 E, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112-5880
(2) Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Department of Health Policy and Management, Baltimore, MD
(3) University of Utah Division of Medical Genetics, Salt Lake City, UT
(4) University of Utah Department of Psychology, Salt Lake City, UT
(5) University of Utah Resource for Genetic and Epidemiologic Research, Salt Lake City, UT
(6) University of Utah Division of Family and Consumer Studies, Salt Lake City, UT
(7) University of Utah Department of Pediatrics and Primary Children's Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT

In this study, published in the October 2005 issue of the Journal of Genetic Counseling (Vol. 14, No. 5, pp. 377-386), the authors applied an existing medical communication coding system to BRCA1 genetic counseling sessions, describe the session dynamics, and explore variation in session communication. The findings support the use of RIAS in genetic counseling research. The results indicate that these BRCA1 sessions were predominantly educational in nature with minimal dialogue devoted to psychosocial issues. They also found that participant gender, presence of a client companion, and counselor identity influence session communication.

Author contact:

Lee Ellington (Research Assistant Professor)
E-mail: lee.ellington@nurs.utah.edu

Abstract available online.

(C) Journal of Genetic Counseling.

Posted by: Tressie Dalaya

Message posted by: Trevor M. D'Souza