No one wants to be sued. A lawsuit is an assault on one's self-image, reputation, and livelihood. It is physically, mentally, and financially draining. The purpose of this book is (1) to provide genetic counselors with varying levels of experience and expertise with heightened awareness of the sources and processes of the law as it can affect their practice; (2) to offer them strategies for minimizing the potential for their being named in a lawsuit; and (3) to provide guidance for the management of current and emerging situations. This is the first book specifically addressing genetic counseling, as opposed to general healthcare risk management.
From the reviews: "Schmerler, a genetic counselor with a law degree in risk management, has written a clear, thorough guide to the bracing reality of legal issues for genetic counselors. Sources of liability are broken down into the different types of legal complaints, legal initiatives, private practice issues, technology, research, and trainees. ... Appendices round out the volume with definitions of genetic counseling from 1975 and 2006, scope of practice, the code of ethics, a bibliography, and glossary." (www.booknews.com, April, 2008) "Susan Schmerler has developed an invaluable resource for genetic counselors at all levels of experience. ... The book is well referenced and is written in a very clear, understandable language, with minimal use of "legalese" ... [and] is a must read for genetic counselors and genetic counseling students." (Nancy Callanan, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, MS Genetic Counseling Program, J Genet Counsel. 2008)