Psychiatric Genetic Counselling: A Pilot Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Psychiatric Genetic Counselling for Healthcare Professionals (PGC4HP): First UK pilot study, regional knowledge exchange and global impact.
IRAS ID
196256
Contact name
Kevin McGhee
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bournemouth University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 29 days
Research summary
Whilst genetic counselling has been in existence since the 1960s, providing psychiatric genetic counselling (PGC) to individuals with a mental illness and their family members is a new field. This study is both important and extremely timely considering how rapidly our understanding of the genetic contributions to psychiatric disorders is developing. Using a model developed in Canada by Dr Jehannine Austin at the University of British Columbia, we will be seeing patients on a 1:1 counselling basis at an NHS clinic based at Weymouth, Dorset, in order to discuss with a trained professional the role that genetics may play in their individual disorder. The aim of the session will be to empower the patient, dispel popular myths and to promote better outcomes. Consequently a reduction in stigma, shame and guilt, all common in psychiatric illness, may be reduced.
Patients invited by their consultant psychiatrist to attend this clinic will be informed prior to giving full consent of our intention to evaluate the service. This will allow researchers to look at the data collected in relation to their visit. We are interested in evaluating this service to see if those who receive it find it helpful. To do this, we will ask patients to complete a pre- and then post-session questionnaire at follow-up, in order to ascertain the effectiveness of the psychiatric genetic counselling session for them. Results of this pilot study will help inform whether PGC is a useful addition to current psychiatric service provision.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NE/0090
Date of REC Opinion
16 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion