Psychiatric Genetics: A Survey of Psychiatrists' Knowledge, Opinions, and Practice Patterns

Abstract

substantial body of evidence over the past several decades has established that many psychiatric dis-Objective: Knowledge about the genetic basis of psychiatric illness is growing rapidly, and psychiatrists may be called upon to incorporate this information into clinical practice. The goal of this study was to assess psychiatrists' familiarity with and attitudes toward genetic information.Method: We surveyed 844 participants, the majority of whom were psychiatrists, attending a continuing medical education course in the fall of 2002 and measured knowledge, opinions, and current practice patterns in regard to psychiatric genetics.Results: Responses were received from 352 psychiatrists (54% of those surveyed). Most psychiatrists correctly answered fewer than half of survey items assessing general and psychiatric genetic knowledge. While 83% considered it their role to discuss genetic information with patients and families, fewer than 25% felt prepared or competent to do so. In response to hypothetical questions regarding genetic testing, a substantial proportion of psychiatrists indicated willingness to use such tests for diagnostic clarification, as well as presymptomatic and even prenatal risk prediction. The majority of respondents expressed interest in further genetics education.Conclusions: Our results suggest that psychiatrists view genetic information as clinically relevant, but have limitations in knowledge that may impact the incorporation of psychiatric genetics into clinical practice. (J Clin Psychiatry 2005;66:821-830) for their helpful feedback in the development of the survey. We also thank Mason Freeman, M.D., William Crowley, M.D., and Virginia Hughes, M.S., for their collaboration. Corresponding author and reprints: Christine T.

Providers' knowledge of genetics: A survey of 5915 individuals and families with genetic conditions

“…Although several studies 5,8,13,14 have investigated the role of genetics in practice, consumers only rarely have been asked to share their perceptions of providers' knowledge of genetics and proficiency in the delivery of genetics-related services. In isolation, the conditions represented in this study affect relatively small numbers of individuals, but in the aggregate, these individuals and families constitute a large population that, increasingly often, deftly negotiates the health care system.…”

Genetic Counseling in Psychiatry

“…The largest survey of psychiatrists' genetic knowledge (n = 352) suggested that practicing psychiatrists may be unfamiliar with aspects of medical and psychiatric genetics relevant to genetic counseling. 40 For a series of questions dealing with general knowledge of genetic principles, psychiatrists answered a median of only 44% correctly, significantly less than a group of genetic counselors and a group of endocrinologists administered the same questions. Psychiatrists also correctly answered a median of only 33% of a series of questions dealing specifically with psychiatric genetics.…”

How do Physicians Decide to Refer Their Patients for Psychiatric Genetic Counseling? A Qualitative Study of Physicians’ Practice

“…Psychiatrists recognize the need to incorporate genetics into psychiatric practice (Finn et al, 2005;Hoop et al, 2008), but many lack expertise and/or confidence in this area (Finn et al, 2005;Abbate et al, 2014). Given growing evidence indicating that people with psychiatric disorders and their families would like to receive genetic counseling (DeLisi and Bertisch, 2006;Lyus, 2007;Austin and Honer, 2008;Peay et al, 2009), psychiatry is an area of practice that potentially presents an ideal scenario for fruitful interdisciplinary collaboration between physicians and genetic counselors (Thompson et al 2015).…”