V. Duric|Phyllis Butow|Louise Sharpe|Elizabeth Lobb|Bettina Meiser|Alexandra Barratt|Katherine Tucker
Reducing Psychological Distress in a Genetic Counseling Consultation for Breast Cancer
University of Sydney|University of Sydney|University of Sydney|University of Sydney|Prince of Wales Hospital|UNSW Sydney|University of Sydney|Prince of Wales Hospital|UNSW Sydney
high levels cancer specific distress found genetic counseling breast cancer study investigated process reducing distress 111 genetic counseling consultations familial breast cancer consultations audiotaped transcribed detailed coding system developed measure cues emotional distress patient consultant clinical geneticist genetic counselor behaviors cues least 1 emotional cue given 64 consultations median 1 cue per consultation emotional cues distress occurred consultant responded empathetically first cue distress satisfaction outcomes largely positive regardless consultants attentiveness distress postconsultation depression scores significantly reduced empathic responses given anxiety remained results discussed recommendations made improving patient care