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Peer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0European Journal of Human Genetics

Holding the story, holding the professional: a pilot study of genetic counselling supervision in Portugal

  • Lídia Guimarães1,2,3,4
  • Mariangels Ferrer-Duch5,6
  • Inês Costa1,2,3
  • Ane Sagardia7,8
  • Maria Ramos-Arroyo9
  • Fernando Alvira-Iraizoz8
  • María Tubío-Fungueiriño10,11,12
  • Montse Fernández-Prieto10,11,12,13
  • Nelly Pasz14,15
  • Pauline Villa14,15
  • Margarida Rangel Henriques16,17
  • Milena Paneque1,2,3,18
18 affiliations
  1. 1i3S—Institute for Research and Innovation in Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
  2. 2IBMC—Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
  3. 3CGPP—Center for Predictive and Preventive Genetics, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
  4. 4AAJUDE—Associação de Apoio à Juventude Deficiente, Porto, Portugal
  5. 5Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
  6. 6Cures Integrals i Serveis de Salut, Universitat de Vic, Universitat Central de Catalunya, Vic, Catalonia Spain
  7. 7Departamento de Genética Médica, Hospital Universitario de Navarra, Navarra, Spain
  8. 8Genomics Medicine Unit, Navarrabiomed, Public University of Navarra (UPNA), Navarra University Hospital (HUN), Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdisNA), Navarra, Spain
  9. 9Unidad de Neurogenetica. Navarrabiomed, Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), Hospital Universitario de Navarra, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Navarra, Spain
  10. 10Fundación Pública Galega Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (FIDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
  11. 11Genomics and Bioinformatics Group, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS), University of Santiago de Compostela (USC), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
  12. 12Genetics Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
  13. 13Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
  14. 14Service de Génétique clinique, Centre Hospitalier Universtaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
  15. 15Association Française des Conseillers en Génétique, Marseille, France
  16. 16FPCEUP—Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences. University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
  17. 17CPUP—Center for Psychology at the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
  18. 18ICBAS. School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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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.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{guimaraes2026holding,
  title = {{Holding the story, holding the professional: a pilot study of genetic counselling supervision in Portugal}},
  author = {Lídia Guimarães and Mariangels Ferrer-Duch and Inês Costa and Ane Sagardia and Maria Ramos-Arroyo and Fernando Alvira-Iraizoz and María Tubío-Fungueiriño and Montse Fernández-Prieto and Nelly Pasz and Pauline Villa and Margarida Rangel Henriques and Milena Paneque},
  journal = {European Journal of Human Genetics},
  year = {2026},
  month = aug,
  doi = {10.1038/s41431-026-02215-6},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s41431-026-02215-6},
  note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Holding the story, holding the professional: a pilot study of genetic counselling supervision in Portugal
AU  - Lídia Guimarães
AU  - Mariangels Ferrer-Duch
AU  - Inês Costa
AU  - Ane Sagardia
AU  - Maria Ramos-Arroyo
AU  - Fernando Alvira-Iraizoz
AU  - María Tubío-Fungueiriño
AU  - Montse Fernández-Prieto
AU  - Nelly Pasz
AU  - Pauline Villa
AU  - Margarida Rangel Henriques
AU  - Milena Paneque
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/08/11
JO  - European Journal of Human Genetics
DO  - 10.1038/s41431-026-02215-6
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1038/s41431-026-02215-6
AB  - 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.
SN  - 1018-4813
SN  - 1476-5438
ER  -