Original Paper

Factors Influencing Uptake of Pharmacogenetic Testing in a Diverse Patient Population
J. O'Daniel^a, J. Lucas^a, P. Deverka^a, D. Ermentrout^{a, b}, G. Silvey^b, D.F. Lobach^b, S.B. Haga<sup>a

a</sup>Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy and
^bDepartment of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University, Durham, N.C., USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Public Health Genomics 2010;13:48-54 (DOI: 10.1159/000217795)

  Key Words

• Pharmacogenetic testing
• Public attitudes
• Side effects

  Abstract

Background: The successful integration of pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing into clinical care will require attention to patient attitudes. In this study, we aimed to identify the major reasons why patients would or would not consider PGx testing and whether these factors differed by race, socioeconomic and insurance status, and medical history. Methods: We developed and conducted a survey within the adult patient population of the Duke Family Medicine Center. Results: Of 75 completed surveys (65% African-American), 77% indicated they were 'very likely' or 'somewhat likely' to take a PGx test. Respondents who had experienced a side effect were significantly more likely to indicate they would take a PGx test and expressed greater interest in learning more about testing than those who had not. Drug safety and effectiveness were the major reasons to have PGx testing. Privacy concerns and lack of insurance coverage for testing were the major reasons to decline testing. Conclusions: We found no differences in interest in PGx tests by race or socioeconomic status, but found stronger interest from those with a history of side effects and private insurance. While the overall support of PGx testing is encouraging, greater reassurance of medical privacy and development of educational resources are needed.

Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Susanne B. Haga
Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy, Duke University
450 Research Drive, Box 91009
Durham, NC 27708 (USA)
Tel. +1 919 684 0325, Fax +1 919 613 6448, E-Mail susanne.haga@duke.edu

  Article Information

Received: December 17, 2008
Accepted: March 2, 2009
Published online: May 4, 2009
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 4, Number of References : 32