Educational Needs in Genetic Medicine: Primary Care Perspectives

Vol. 11, No. 3, 2008

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Original Paper

Educational Needs in Genetic Medicine: Primary Care Perspectives
Susan B. Trinidad^a, Kelly Fryer-Edwards^{a, b}, Anthony Crest^b, Penny Kyler^c, Michele A. Lloyd-Puryear^c, Wylie Burke^{a, b}

^aDepartment of Medical History and Ethics and
^bInstitute for Public Health Genetics, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash., and
^cHealth Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C., USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Community Genet 2008;11:160-165 (DOI: 10.1159/000113878)

Key Words

Attitudes
Genetics education
Primary care

Abstract

Background/Aims: This study was performed to identify primary care physicians' (PCPs) attitudes toward genetic medicine and their perceived needs for education in this area. Methods: Semistructured telephone interviews with 24 PCPs in the northwestern United States. Results: PCPs are interested in learning more about who should receive genetic testing and what tests are available. Training in counseling and risk communication is desired, as are 'just-in-time' resources to guide clinical decisions. Conclusions: PCPs are eager to learn about genetic medicine; however, their priorities may differ in emphasis from those put forward by genetics experts. Future educational efforts would do well to build on PCPs' prior knowledge base, highlight the clinical relevance of genetic medicine to primary care practice, and emphasize 'red flags': cues to alert PCPs to a potential genetic contribution.

Author Contacts

Susan Brown Trinidad
Department of Medical History and Ethics, University of Washington
Box 357120
Seattle, WA 98195-7120 (USA)
Tel. +1 206 543 2508, Fax +1 206 685 7515, E-Mail sbtrini@u.washington.edu

Article Information

Published online: March 26, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 3, Number of References : 18

Medline Abstract (ID 18376112)

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Public Health Genomics
is the continuation of
Community Genetics

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