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Psychological Model for Presymptomatic Test Interviews: Lessons Learned from Huntington Disease
Author(s) -
Soldan Jo,
Street Eddy,
Gray Jonathon,
Binedell Julia,
Harper Peter S.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of genetic counseling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1573-3599
pISSN - 1059-7700
DOI - 10.1023/a:1009425022687
Subject(s) - disease , genetic counseling , huntington's disease , psychology , test (biology) , clinical psychology , psychological testing , genetic testing , medicine , pathology , paleontology , genetics , biology
This paper reflects on experience gained from presymptomatic testing for Huntington disease. An approach is presented which considers the role of the clinician and aims of the interview. Irrespective of the disease being tested for, it is suggested that the psychological aim of presymptomatic testing is to foster emotional insight and understanding that will help clients in their decision‐making process about testing and their subsequent adjustment to the result. Based on these aims the process of presymptomatic testing, counseling is considered in terms of clarification, consideration, education, and reflection, followed by decision making. Practical approaches are discussed and illustrated with clinical examples.