Family Communication About Genetics - 9780195369823

"This book thoroghly reviews relevant theories for family communication about genetics before moving to practical perspectives on optimizing communication with families during clinical encounters. The book is very timely, as the genetics revolution involves more and more families in such discussions. As most health professional-patient encounters are one-on-one, family communication is a relatively unexplored concept in clinical care, yet vitally important in genetics. I believe this book will make an important contribution to the practice of genetic counseling. Particularly valuable is the focus on a wide range of relevant theories, bringing a richness and depth to the discussions throughout the book, while the use of case studies grounds the text in practical realities. I congratulate the authors on this important and comprehensive exploration of family communication about genetics."Phyllis Butow, Professor and NHMRC Principal Research Fellow, Co-Director, Centre of Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making, School of Psychology, University of Sydney

"Family communication is at the heart of genetic counseling and of all interactions involving genetic disorders. This valuable book brings together a wealth of previously scattered information that is both of direct practical help and which gives insights into the theory underpinning this. It illustrates not only how complex and sensitive are issues of family communication, but also how great is the potential for helping families if the problems and issues are approached sensitively and with skill. Not only specialist genetic counselors and clinical geneticists will find the book, with its numerous case examples, of the greatest help, but so will clinicians in different areas, psychologists and those social scientists involved in research in the field. The editors and authors are to be congratulated." Peter Harper, Emoritus Professor, Institute of Medical Genetics, Cardiff University School of Medicine

"Genetic counselors have long proclaimed that families are our patients but too often we put the focus on the clinical implications of genetic diseases. Finally we have a book that guides us through the psychological and emotional maze of communicating complex genetic information with and within families---a challenge that lies at the heart of genetic counseling." Robert Resta, MS, CGC, Genetic Counselor, Director, Hereditary Cancer Clinic, Swedish Madical Center, Seattle, WA: Emeritus Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Genetic Counseling