Griffith University

Genetic counselling is a communication process, which aims to help individuals, couples and families understand and adapt to the medical, psychological, familial and reproductive implications of the genetic contribution to specific health conditions.

This process integrates the following:

• Interpretation of genetic and medical histories of a family to assess the chance of disease occurrence or recurrence;
• Education about the natural history of the condition, inheritance pattern, testing, management, prevention, support resources and research;
• Counselling to promote informed choices in view of risk assessment, family goals, ethical and religious values;
• Support to encourage the best possible adjustment to the disorder in an affected family member and/or to the risk of recurrence of that disorder
  

Genetic counsellors typically work within a team of health professionals who provide clinical services and support for patients and their families. For example, a genetic counsellor often works in the genetics service of a public or private health provider and will typically be responsible for pre-clinic phone contact with patients to gather genetic and medical history and / or supporting documents required to prepare for the clinical consultation; will attend the consultation either as sole practitioner or with a medical practitioner; will organise follow-up contact; and will be the ongoing contact person for the individual and family.

The experienced genetic counsellor is usually responsible for the explanation of complex genetic and medical information, discussion of the available testing or screening options, as well as provision of support through the decision-making process. A genetic counsellor can also work in a familial cancer unit, a fetal medicine unit, IVF service or prenatal ultrasound service.

What can I study?

• Applied clinical genetics
• Genetic counselling
• Molecular genetics
• Biochemistry and molecular biology