Genetic Counselors' Experiences of Moral Value Conflicts With Clients

This study will examine the experience of moral value conflicts among genetic counselors. Previous research has shown that value conflicts do exist among genetic counselors, but little is known about the nature or consequences of these conflicts. This is a sub-study of the "Manifestations and Consequences of Moral Distress Among Genetic Service Providers: An Exploratory Study," which includes genetic counselors, nurses and medical geneticists.

Genetic counselors are recruited for this value-conflict sub-study from among those participating in the Moral Distress study. Participants are interviewed in-depth by telephone about their experiences of moral value conflicts with clients. The interviews cover the following: situations in which the counselor has disagreed with a client's decision or views on a moral level; the counselor's thought processes during and after a session in which conflicts arise; the counselor's feelings and emotions associated with sessions involving a moral value conflict; the counselor's current and previous work settings; the counselor's view of his or her role and responsibility in a client's decision; challenging a client's values or decision; and preparation for value conflicts.