| Title |
From Novice to Seasoned Practitioner: a Qualitative Investigation of Genetic Counselor Professional Development
|
|---|---|
| Published in |
Journal of Genetic Counseling, November 2015
|
| DOI | 10.1007/s10897-015-9900-2 |
| Pubmed ID | |
| Authors |
Kimberly Wehner Zahm, Patricia McCarthy Veach, Meredith A. Martyr, Bonnie S. LeRoy |
| Abstract |
Research on genetic counselor professional development would characterize typical developmental processes, inform training and supervision, and promote life-long development opportunities. To date, however no studies have comprehensively examined this phenomenon. The aims of this study were to investigate the nature of professional development for genetic counselors (processes, influences, and outcomes) and whether professional development varies across experience levels. Thirty-four genetic counselors participated in semi-structured telephone interviews exploring their perspectives on their professional development. Participants were sampled from three levels of post-degree genetic counseling experience: novice (0-5 years), experienced (6-14 years), and seasoned (>15 years). Using modified Consensual Qualitative Research and grounded theory methods, themes, domains, and categories were extracted from the data. The themes reflect genetic counselors' evolving perceptions of their professional development and its relationship to: (a) being a clinician, (b) their professional identity, and (c) the field itself. Across experience levels, prevalent influences on professional development were interpersonal (e.g., experiences with patients, genetic counseling colleagues) and involved professional and personal life events. Common developmental experiences included greater confidence and less anxiety over time, being less information-driven and more emotion-focused with patients, delivering "bad news" to patients remains challenging, and individuals' professional development experiences parallel genetic counseling's development as a field. With a few noteworthy exceptions, professional development was similar across experience levels. A preliminary model of genetic counselor professional development is proposed suggesting development occurs in a non-linear fashion throughout the professional lifespan. Each component of the model mutually influences the others, and there are positive and negative avenues of development. |
X Demographics
The data shown below were collected from the profiles of 2 X users who shared this research output. Click here to find out more about how the information was compiled.
Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 1 | 50% |
| United Kingdom | 1 | 50% |
Demographic breakdown
| Type | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Members of the public | 2 | 100% |
Mendeley readers
The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 79 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.
Geographical breakdown
| Country | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown | 79 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
| Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Student > Master | 24 | 30% |
| Student > Doctoral Student | 7 | 9% |
| Student > Bachelor | 6 | 8% |
| Student > Ph. D. Student | 5 | 6% |
| Researcher | 3 | 4% |
| Other | 11 | 14% |
| Unknown | 23 | 29% |
| Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
|---|---|---|
| Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 15 | 19% |
| Psychology | 12 | 15% |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 8 | 10% |
| Social Sciences | 6 | 8% |
| Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 4 | 5% |
| Other | 9 | 11% |
| Unknown | 25 | 32% |
Attention Score in Context
This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 1. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 19 November 2015.
All research outputs
#17,776,579
of 22,832,057 outputs
Outputs from Journal of Genetic Counseling
#894
of 1,142 outputs
Outputs of similar age
#191,480
of 284,824 outputs
Outputs of similar age from Journal of Genetic Counseling
#23
of 25 outputs
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