Satisfaction with Genetic Counseling: Dimensions and Measurement

Patient satisfaction has become a significant issue in evaluating medical care, although it has been largely neglected in genetic counseling. A 32-item questionnaire was designed to examine patient satisfaction and was administered to 76 clients in a genetic counseling center, and 56 parents attending a pediatric outpatient clinic (the control group). Factor analysis showed 3 dimensions to satisfaction with genetic counseling: instrumental, affective, and procedural. The general level of satisfaction was found to be lower in the genetic counseling group than in the control group. This finding was interpreted as expressing basic properties of genetic counseling. The most important determinant of satisfaction in both groups was satisfaction with the content of information provided in counseling. Some affective and procedural aspects of genetic counseling were found more satisfying, and more important in determining genetic clients' general sense of satisfaction, as compared to the control subjects.