Incorporating Direct-to-Consumer Genomic Information into Patient Care: Attitudes and Experiences of Primary Care Physicians

Abstract

Aim Despite predictions of increased clinical applications, little is known about primary care providers’ (PCPs’) readiness to apply genomics to patient care. The aim was to assess PCPs’ current experience with genetic testing, their assessment of the understandability and clinical utility of information in sample direct-to-consumer reports for genomic assessment of disease risk and warfarin dosing and attitudes toward genomic medicine. Materials & methods A web-based survey of PCPs who are members of Knowledge Networks’ Physician Consulting Network was conducted. Results Of the 502 respondents (23.3% response rate), most ordered genetic tests infrequently. When presented with the direct-to-consumer genomic testing reports, most believed the reports were understandable, and would be willing to review results with a patient, and many believed the results would be helpful in patient management. Conclusion Despite limited experience with genetic tests, PCPs are open to helping patients understand genomic information. However, additional physician education is needed.

Pharmacogenomics: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice among Future Doctors and Pharmacists - A Pilot Study

“…Previous researches have demonstrated knowledge gap, good attitude and low practice towards PG among current Doctors and Pharmacists (Yau et al, 2015;Bakhouche and Slanař, 2012;Benzeroual et al, 2012;Bernhardt et al, 2012;Bonter et al, 2011;Stanek et al, 2012;Johansen Taber and Press, 2014;Yau et al, 2015b); Moreover, study conducted in Ukraine among Pharmacy students revealed similar results (Filiptsova et al, 2015). However, study carried out in Malaysia, have discovered that current healthcare practitioners have good knowledge, attitude and consider PG to be a relevant field of clinical practice, but with low adoption (Bannur et al, 2014), and other studies have demonstrated healthcare students agree that PG is critical to patient care (Drozda et al, 2013;Gurwitz et al, 2005;McCullough et al, 2011;Moen and Lamba, 2013).…”

“…In addition, a lot of developments have been made in the field of PG over six decades, and its promising roles in ADRs, drugs safety and efficacy. However, the practical application of PG has been below expectation (Bannur et al, 2014;de Denus et al, 2013). In general, PG is not yet seen as an essential tool in drug safety, therefore not an important.…”

“…component of routine medical practice. Several studies reported the knowledge and practice gap, lack of formal training and awareness toward PG among current Physicians and pharmacists (Yau et al, 2015a;Bannur et al, 2014;Stanek et al, 2012;Johansen Taber and Press, 2014;Yau et al, 2015b). In all cases, less attention has been paid to future Doctors and Pharmacists despite their reported knowledge gap on PG (Filiptsova et al, 2015;Moen and Lamba, 2013).…”

Primary Care Physician Experiences with Integrated Pharmacogenomic Testing in a Community Health System

“…Through this process, PGx testing can be completed at home by the patient, but still involves supervision from the ordering healthcare provider. This is distinct from direct-toconsumer testing where a healthcare provider does not need to be involved in the process [1,[21][22][23]. Increased access to health information on the internet, demand for personal healthcare autonomy and lower test costs have likely increased the demand for these servicesas healthcare has become more consumer-driven [22].…”

“…This is distinct from direct-toconsumer testing where a healthcare provider does not need to be involved in the process [1,[21][22][23]. Increased access to health information on the internet, demand for personal healthcare autonomy and lower test costs have likely increased the demand for these servicesas healthcare has become more consumer-driven [22]. However, controversy remains regarding potential risks and benefits of consumer-driven access to genomic information [1,21,23].…”