Training activity information
Details
In trainee led consultations, address ethical issues raised, and take steps with the patient to find a resolution where possible
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Ethical issues that may be raised within the context of a genetic counselling appointment
- Ethical theory vs ethical governance
- Frameworks for thinking about ethics
- Effective use of counselling supervision
- AGNC code of ethics
- GCRB code of conduct
- Good scientific practice
- HCPC standards of proficiency
- The role of critical reflection in addressing the ethical issues
- Relevant codes of ethical conduct
- Conflicts of confidentiality
- Multidisciplinary team working
- Safeguarding concerns
- Active listening skills to elicit ethical dilemmas
- Addressing and discuss ethical issues with patients
- Negotiation skills and managing patient expectations
- Counselling theory
- Core skills (empathy, congruence and warmth)
- Advanced skills (advanced empathy, concreteness and challenge)
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What are the key ethical principles relevant to genetic counselling that you need to be mindful of before your consultation?
- What types of ethical issues do you anticipate might arise in your trainee-led consultations and how can you prepare to address these?
- How do you anticipate applying ethical frameworks to analyse and address these issues in real-time?
- What strategies do you hope to learn for facilitating ethical decision-making with patients and finding mutually acceptable resolutions?
- Will you revisit relevant ethical guidelines? Will you discuss potential ethical dilemmas with your supervisor and explore different approaches to resolution?
- How will you prepare yourself to remain calm and think clearly when an unexpected ethical issue arises during a consultation?
In action
- What steps are you taking to clearly identify and articulate the ethical issue as it emerges?
- How are you involving the patient in the discussion of the ethical issue and potential resolutions?
- Are you effectively exploring the different facets of the ethical issue and the potential consequences of different actions?
- Are you encountering any challenges identifying or explaining the ethical issues being raised?
- What adjustments are you making to your communication and approach to facilitate a resolution that is ethically sound and acceptable to the patient (where possible)?
- How is your understanding of relevant ethical frameworks (e.g., normative ethics, bioethics) guiding your actions?
- If the ethical issue is complex or you are unsure about the best course of action, are you considering pausing the consultation (if appropriate) to seek immediate guidance from your supervisor?
- Are you exploring different options for resolution with the patient, respecting their autonomy in decision-making?
- Are you ensuring that any steps taken towards resolution align with professional codes of conduct and relevant legislation?
On action
- What were the specific ethical issues that arose during the trainee-led consultation?
- How was the ethical issue raised by the patient, or how did you identify it?
- What steps did you take to address the ethical issue and work towards a resolution with the patient?
- What did you learn about the practical application of ethical principles in a genetic counselling consultation?
- Were there any unexpected challenges in identifying or addressing the ethical issue?
- What did you learn from these challenges?
- How did your attempts to address the ethical issue during the consultation influence the interaction with the patient and the potential for resolution?
- How does this experience relate to the ethical considerations and frameworks relevant to genetic and genomic counselling practice?
- What areas do you need to develop further in terms of identifying, analysing, and addressing ethical issues in genetic counselling?
- How will you apply this learning to future consultations where ethical dilemmas may arise?
- What specific ‘next steps’ will you take to enhance your ethical decision-making skills (e.g., reviewing ethical guidelines, discussing cases in supervision)?
- What support or resources could further develop your ability to navigate complex ethical situations in practice (e.g., attending ethics meetings)?
Beyond action
- Have you reviewed your initial reflect-on-action for this training activity? What were the specific ethical issues and your approach to resolution that you identified at the time?
- Can you recall other instances where ethical issues arose in your consultations? How did your approach in those situations differ from or align with your actions in this training activity?
- Have you participated in ethics discussions (e.g., in supervision or at ethics meetings) that have given you a different perspective on the ethical issue you encountered in this training activity?
- Are you now more attuned to identifying potential ethical issues in your consultations? Can you provide examples of how your awareness has changed?
- Have you refined your strategies for addressing ethical issues and working towards resolution with patients based on this and subsequent experiences?
- How has reflecting on this training activity influenced your confidence in discussing ethical dilemmas in supervision or multidisciplinary meetings?
- Has this reflection helped you understand the relevance of ethical principles and frameworks (as outlined in the module information) to real-world practice?
- What transferable skills in ethical reasoning, communication, and negotiation have you strengthened through this reflection?
- What continued professional development needs have you identified in the area of ethical practice in genetic counselling?
- How will this experience inform your approach to complex ethical challenges you may face as a fully qualified Genetic Counsellor?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 4 |
Outcome
Use counselling supervision and multidisciplinary meetings to work through ethical and cultural issues in genomic counselling practice. |