{ "abstract": "The increasing complexity of genomic medicine has intensified the emotional, ethical, and relational demands placed on genetic counselling professionals. In response to these demands, genetic counselling supervision has been increasingly recognised as a core component of safe and sustainable practice. However, its implementation across Europe remains uneven, and empirical evidence on feasible and acceptable supervision models in clinical settings is limited. This study reports a mixed-methods pilot evaluation of a narrative-informed, group-based genetic counselling supervision programme implemented within Portuguese public genetic services. This is a foundational component of the first phase of the MAG-SUDOE project, a transnational initiative supported by the Interreg SUDOE programme aimed at developing a joint supervision solution for genetic counselling professionals in Portugal, Spain, and France. Eight genetic healthcare professionals were recruited, and seven completed the intervention. Feasibility and acceptability were examined through participation and attendance rates, session evaluations, and assessment of the supervisory working alliance. Preliminary impact was explored using self-report measures of psychological well-being and perceived counselling quality, complemented by qualitative data from written narratives, semi-structured interviews, and a final focus group. The programme demonstrated high feasibility, with strong engagement and completion despite clinical workload constraints, and high acceptability, reflected in positive session evaluations and strong supervisory working alliance. Qualitative findings indicated that participants experienced supervision as a safe and reflective space that reduced isolation, supported emotional regulation, and enhanced reflective awareness. Overall, this pilot study provides promising indications of benefit for reflective practice and professional well-being, supporting its further adaptation and implementation within a transnational European framework.", "abstract_shown": true, "affiliations": [ "i3S—Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal", "IBMC—Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal", "CGPP—Center for Predictive and Preventive Genetics, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal", "AAJUDE—Associação de Apoio à Juventude Deficiente, Porto, Portugal", "Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK", "Cures Integrals i Serveis de Salut, Universitat de Vic, Universitat Central de Catalunya, Vic, Catalonia Spain", "Departamento de Genética Médica, Hospital Universitario de Navarra, Navarra, Spain", "Genomics Medicine Unit, Navarrabiomed, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), Navarra University Hospital (HUN), Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdisNA), Navarra, Spain", "Unidad de Neurogenetica. Navarrabiomed, Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Hospital Universitario de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Navarra, Spain", "Fundación Pública Galega Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (FIDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain", "Genomics and Bioinformatics Group, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela, Spain", "Genetics Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain", "Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain", "Service de Génétique clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universtaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France", "Association Française des Conseillers en Génétique, Marseille, France", "FPCEUP—Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences. University of Porto, Porto, Portugal", "CPUP—Center for Psychology at the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal", "ICBAS. School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal" ], "article_type": "research article", "arxiv": null, "author_total": 12, "authors": [ { "affs": [ 0, 1, 2, 3 ], "name": "Lídia Guimarães", "orcid": "0000-0002-3229-5785" }, { "affs": [ 4, 5 ], "name": "Mariangels Ferrer-Duch", "orcid": "0000-0002-0157-6306" }, { "affs": [ 0, 1, 2 ], "name": "Inês Costa", "orcid": "0009-0006-7855-1189" }, { "affs": [ 6, 7 ], "name": "Ane Sagardia", "orcid": "0000-0002-4732-4067" }, { "affs": [ 8 ], "name": "Maria Ramos-Arroyo", "orcid": "0000-0002-7171-9202" }, { "affs": [ 7 ], "name": "Fernando Alvira-Iraizoz", "orcid": "0000-0001-8324-6409" }, { "affs": [ 9, 10, 11 ], "name": "María Tubío-Fungueiriño", "orcid": "0000-0002-8121-2472" }, { "affs": [ 9, 10, 11, 12 ], "name": "Montse Fernández-Prieto", "orcid": "0000-0003-3800-9476" }, { "affs": [ 13, 14 ], "name": "Nelly Pasz", "orcid": "0009-0007-8335-8145" }, { "affs": [ 13, 14 ], "name": "Pauline Villa", "orcid": "0009-0004-2275-5604" }, { "affs": [ 15, 16 ], "name": "Margarida Rangel Henriques", "orcid": "0009-0001-6059-6710" }, { "affs": [ 0, 1, 2, 17 ], "name": "Milena Paneque", "orcid": "0000-0002-6535-4315" } ], "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/111vcgptyh2hp.bib", "cited_by": 1, "doi": "10.1038/s41431-026-02215-6", "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13743763/", "id": "111vcgptyh2hp", "issns": [ "1018-4813", "1476-5438" ], "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41431-026-02215-6", "language": "en", "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND-4.0", "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND 4.0", "licence_source": "article", "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/", "metadata_licence": null, "native_subjects": [ [ "heading", "Article" ], [ "openalex", "3203|Counseling Practices and Supervision" ] ], "openalex": "W7202178714", "pdf_url": "https://www.nature.com/articles/s41431-026-02215-6.pdf", "pmcid": "PMC13743763", "pmid": "42581101", "published": "2026-08-11", "publisher": "Nature Publishing Group", "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/111vcgptyh2hp.ris", "sources": [ { "first_seen": "2026-11-11T12:21:25Z", "native_id": "PMC13743763", "source": "pmc", "url": "https://doi.org/10.1038/s41431-026-02215-6" } ], "subjects": [ { "field": "medicine", "origin": "openalex:3203|Counseling Practices and Supervision", "subfield": "psychiatry" } ], "title": "Holding the story, holding the professional: a pilot study of genetic counselling supervision in Portugal", "title_text": "Holding the story, holding the professional: a pilot study of genetic counselling supervision in Portugal", "type": "peer-reviewed", "updated_at": "2026-11-11T12:21:25Z", "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/111vcgptyh2hp", "venue": "European Journal of Human Genetics", "versions": [] }