Original Article
Volume: 3 | Issue: 2 | Published: Jan 01, 1970 | Pages: 60 - 70 | DOI: 10.24911/JBCGenetics/183-1596638212
Role of religion/spirituality in the context of genetic counseling: health professionals' experiences in an Islamic country
Authors: Khadijah Bakur , Jumana Al-Aama , Zuhair Alhassnan , Helen Brooks , Tara Clancy , Saud Takroni , Fiona Ulph
Article Info
Authors
Khadijah Bakur
School of Biological Science, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
Jumana Al-Aama
Department of Genetic Medicine, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Saudi Arabia
Zuhair Alhassnan
Princess Al-Jawhara Centre of Excellence in Research of Hereditary Disorders, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
Helen Brooks
Princess Al-Jawhara Centre of Excellence in Research of Hereditary Disorders, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
Tara Clancy
Department of Genetic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
Saud Takroni
Department of Medical Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Saudi Arabia
Fiona Ulph
Institute of Population Health Sciences, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
Publication History
Received: August 05, 2020
Revised: September 13, 2020
Accepted: September 18, 2020
Published: January 01, 1970
Abstract
Background: Religion/spirituality plays a vital role in most aspects of Muslims' lives. However, there has been little research on the part of religion/spirituality in health professionals' clinical experience with patients with genetic disorders, including long QT syndrome. Methods: This qualitative study explored health professionals' views working in Saudi Arabia concerning the role of Islam in their clinical practice. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 12 health professionals from two cardiogenetic centers in Saudi Arabia. Results: The participants included clinical geneticists (4/12), genetic counselor (1/12), molecular geneticists (2/12), cardiologists (3/12), and patient coordinators (2/12). The data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and three main themes were identified: (1) the value attributed to religion/spirituality in the context of genetic counseling, (2) professional and patient-level barriers to formal religious assessment and conversations in the context of genetic counseling, and (3) incorporating religion/spirituality into genetic counseling sessions. Conclusion: The study sheds light on the advantages of using informal religious language to establish rapport and build trust between patients and health professionals in genetic counseling. It also draws attention to the importance of exploring patients' willingness to discuss religious issues. Participants identified a lack of appropriate training as a significant barrier to attending to patients' religious/spiritual needs during genetic counseling.
Keywords: Islam, religion/spirituality, genetic counseling, Saudi Arabia, long QT syndrome, lived experience
