ACTA FAC MED NAISS 2020;37(3):274-285

Original article

Proposed Models for Genetic Counseling: Which Quality Indicators
by Donabedian's Model are more Feasible?

Marija M. Lević¹, Dušanka M. Krajnović^2,3, Valentina D. Marinković²

 ¹University of Belgrade, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Legislation,
PhD student, Belgrade, Serbia
²University of Belgrade, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Legislation, Belgrade, Serbia
³University of Belgrade Center for the Study of Bioethics, Belgrade, Serbia

 SUMMARY

                    Genetic counselling is a complex process that helps people to understand and adopt medical, psychological and genetic aspects of the disease and enable them to make an appropriate decision.
                    In this framework, we revisited all the existing models for decision-making and suggested their use in the process of genetic counselling, which may lead to more equitable and more favourable outcomes. Also, Donabedian's (Structure-Process-Outcome) model for the development of key performance indicators was applied to assess the quality in the process of genetic counselling. 
                    Quality indicators at SPO model in the process of genetic counselling were proposed. The social, economic and humanistic outcomes have also been identified.
                All defined quality indicators together represent a framework for monitoring, evaluation and continuous improvement of the process of genetic counselling. Although the new medical services of genetic counselling tend to be developed as a powerful multidisciplinary field, the implementation of quality management model will certainly help the development of collaborative practice.

 Key words: genetic counselling, models of decision-making, Donabedian's model, quality