Counsel the patient regarding test outcomes and their implications for further testing, treatment, and possible lifestyle changes. Provide time for the patient to ask questions and voice concerns about the entire testing process.

Test outcome interpretation involves reassessment of interfering factors and patient compliance if the results significantly deviate from normal and previous results.

No test is perfect; however, the greater the degree of abnormality indicated by the test result, the more likely it is that this outcome deviation is significant or represents a real disorder.

Notify the patient about test results after consultation with the healthcare provider. Treatment may be delayed if test results are misplaced or not communicated in a timely manner.

Help patients interpret the results of community-based testing.

Identify differences in the patient’s view of the situation, the healthcare provider’s views about tests and disease, and the healthcare team’s perceptions.

When providing genetic counseling, the healthcare provider needs to be sensitive to the implications of genetic or metabolic disorders. Informing the patient or family about the genetic defect requires special training in genetic science, family coping skills, and an understanding of legal and ethical issues. Confidentiality and privacy of information are vital.

Be familiar with crisis intervention skills for patients who experience difficulty dealing with the posttest phase.

Encourage the patient to take as much control of the situation as possible.

Recognize that the different stages of behavioral responses may last several weeks.

Provide social and emotional support as needed. Social support is a context-specific interpersonal process centered on the exchange of information between all parties involved. Emotional social support is centered on feelings of anxiousness, depression, and hopelessness, whereas instrumental social support deals with the more tangible needs, such as childcare, transportation, food, and shelter.