Periodic evaluations of genetic counseling services are useful for determining the effectiveness of counseling in meetings its psycho-educational aims, as well as identifying where improvements to the service may be made. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic counseling services provided by Genetic Services of Western Australia (GSWA) to determine the impact of counseling on client expectations, satisfaction with the service, and psychological adjustment, defined as wellbeing and perceived personal control (PPC). A total of 122 clients participated in a self-administered survey conducted pre- and post-counseling. Client expectations of the service as a means of providing information were met, and opportunities for counselors to meet client's expectations of psychological support were identified. Furthermore, counseling was found to maintain and enhance psychological wellbeing of clients. The role of counseling in facilitating the development of PPC was a key contributor to a high sense of satisfaction in clients.

Aim: To explore new mothers' knowledge of newborn screening, and their attitudes towards issues surrounding sample retention and the potential for blood screening samples to be used for research. Methods:A self-administered mail survey was sent to women who gave birth in Perth, Western Australia during January 2005. A total of 600 women completed the survey.Results: It was found that women were aware of newborn screening, however desired further information in order to acquire a more comprehensive knowledge of the test. Further, women reported discomfort with the long-term storage of cards, but they were supportive of using blood samples for medical research, contingent upon the samples being de-identified and parental consent provided. Conclusions:New mothers need to be provided with comprehensive information about the newborn screening test at a time which is conducive for the assimilation of this information. In addition, whilst supporting health related research using newborn screening samples, new mothers are keen for ethical issues to be sufficiently addressed prior to samples being systematically stored for extended periods of time.

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