Healthcare Professionals’ Attitudes toward Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing in Pediatric Acute Care

Abstract

We aimed to characterize knowledge and attitudes about rapid whole genome sequencing (rWGS) implementation of a broad constituency of healthcare professionals at hospitals participating in a statewide initiative to implement rWGS for hospitalized neonates and children up to 18 years of age meeting clinical criteria for testing. We surveyed 307 healthcare professionals from eight hospitals about their knowledge and attitudes regarding rWGS. We examined survey internal reliability using exploratory factor analysis and associations between respondent characteristics and attitudes toward rWGS with linear regression. We thematically analyzed free-text responses. Views about rWGS implementation in respondents’ own setting and respondents’ personal capability to implement rWGS were generally neutral (M = 3.44 (SD = 0.74); M = 3.30 (SD = 0.85), respectively). Views about the potential for rWGS in clinical practice were overall positive (M = 4.12 (SD = 0.57)). The degree of positivity of attitudes about rWGS was strongly influenced by perceived knowledge, clinical or non-clinical role, concerns about future insurance coverage for rWGS as a first-tier test, and future adverse impact of genomics health information on patients or families. We identified several actionable factors influencing attitudes toward rWGS of pediatric healthcare professionals. Expanded education and ongoing implementation research are needed for the full potential of rWGS in pediatrics to be realized.

Breaking Barriers to Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing in Pediatrics: Michigan’s Project Baby Deer

“…A standardized survey was distributed by email to healthcare professionals at nine hospital sites in Michigan. Information was gathered about capacity to implement rWGS as well as personal knowledge, education, and attitudes about future utilization of rWGS and genomics [14]. This work informed ongoing educational and quality improvement activities.…”

A systematic review of knowledge, attitude and practice of pharmacogenomics in pediatric oncology patients

“…Parents have reported positive attitudes to genetic testing for children across a range of different genetic tests of differing clinical utility 23 . A positive attitude of healthcare professionals toward rapid whole‐exome sequencing in acute care emerged as a major theme in a survey of 307 healthcare professionals across eight institutes in the United States 24 . Interestingly, the degree of positivity was strongly influenced by perceived knowledge 24 .…”

“… 23 A positive attitude of healthcare professionals toward rapid whole‐exome sequencing in acute care emerged as a major theme in a survey of 307 healthcare professionals across eight institutes in the United States. 24 Interestingly, the degree of positivity was strongly influenced by perceived knowledge. 24 In our systematic review, the positive attitudes of healthcare professionals were driven by a perceived clinical need for, and advantages of, pharmacogenomics testing.…”

“… 24 Interestingly, the degree of positivity was strongly influenced by perceived knowledge. 24 In our systematic review, the positive attitudes of healthcare professionals were driven by a perceived clinical need for, and advantages of, pharmacogenomics testing. 17 , 18 Healthcare professionals have also demonstrated positive attitudes to genetic testing across a range of clinical indications including cancer predisposition syndromes, 25 disability, 26 and acute critical illness.…”

Organizational Aspects of the Implementation and Use of Whole Genome Sequencing and Whole Exome Sequencing in the Pediatric Population in Italy: Results of a Survey

“…In fact, they represent the domain in which information needs to be both efficiently synthesized and appropriately described, to guide stakeholders in the decision-making process regarding the assessed technology. Previous studies explored other elements of WGS in children, such as perceived knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals towards its inclusion in clinical practice [ 6 ], insights for developing adequate interventions leading to its implementation in the pediatric/neonatal critical care [ 7 ], concerns and opinions regarding its risks/benefits, the barriers of its clinical integration [ 8 ], and the interest of parents in WGS [ 9 ].…”