Psychosocial implications of uncertainty. As navigators of genetic testing, genetic counselors have seen it all – smooth seas, choppy waters and even the rare tsunami. Genetic testing sounds, well, so promising. Huge gene panels for epilepsy, whole exome sequencing – guaranteed to find an answer, right? Wrong. And let’s not even talk about secondary (incidental) findings, variants of uncertain significance and (gulp) non-paternity. While our technology has changed, navigating the choppy waters of psychosocial issues in genetic testing has not. Previous EpiGC posts to this blog have highlighted the challenges inherent to interpreting variants of uncertain significance. Now let’s talk about the psychosocial implications of dealing with uncertainty.
Author Archives: EpiGC
Being informed about informed consent
Key components. There are many factors for patients to consider when deciding whether to undergo genetic testing for epilepsy. Perceptions regarding the benefits and drawbacks can vary from one patient to another, and only the patient can determine whether the benefits of testing outweigh the drawbacks in their specific situation. Testing that seems straightforward to a clinician may not be so for a patient. As such, the process of informed consent is crucial to avoid harm and disappointment. Continue reading
