Communication in genetic counselling.

The importance of genetic counselling is being emphasized to an increasing degree, especially in view of advancements in the field of prenatal diagnosis and in methods of practical primary prevention. Genetic counselling is a process allowing specific information to be made available to clients in a specific manner. It only recently became apparent that knowledge about the process of the transmission of information in genetic counselling was inadequate and that re-evaluation was necessary. In genetic counselling communication is characterized by a distinctive type of psychodynamics in which philosophical, ethical and social factors and interrelations feature. An outline of the components of the communication process is provided. A model for the genetic counsellor's role in the comprehensive genetics team is suggested, and problem areas in the communication process are discussed.