Investigating Needs to Develop Training in Precision Medicine for Frontline Healthcare Professionals: A Focus Group Study

Abstract

Background: Precision Medicine offers tailored prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management to patients that considers genomic, lifestyle and environmental factors. If implementation of PM is to advance, effective, focused upskilling of frontline healthcare workers through quality continuing professional development (CPD) is needed. This study reports on an evidence-based approach to needs assessment to investigate the acceptability of pharmacists, advanced practice nurses and general practitioners towards a national blended training programme in PM. Needs assessment avoids a top-down approach and supports a design that is fit for purpose, acceptable to the target professions and fills a perceived gap in current practice. Methods: This study reports on 2 focus groups (n=12) delivered in French and German with equal professional participation of the targeted professions. The focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed by intelligent verbatim and translated to English. NVivo was used for data analysis and interpretation following a hybrid approach using the Framework Method and thematic analysis.Results: Precision Medicine as a new topic is largely unfamiliar to frontline healthcare professionals. Insight was gathered on acceptable learning objectives and results will be validated with a follow up survey to a wider audience. All participants shared their concerns on their readiness to implement a precision approach within their professions. Additional raised points include insufficient system infrastructure and supporting network of experts, a lack of time to attend training, and a lack of clarity for use in practice.Conclusions: Our results conclude that an adaptable and flexible training programme in PM is timely, contextually relevant and conducive to the needs of targeted health professions for successful implementation. A training programme in PM will require support across sectors and stakeholders, supporting insurance models, educated patients and integrated care supported by innovative technology. Precision Medicine is on our horizon and it is not a question of if but when and to what extent Precision Medicine will become a new normal for frontline healthcare professionals.