Knowledge, attitudes, and values among physicians working with clinical genomics: a survey of medical oncologists
Abstract Background It has been over a decade since the completion of the Human Genome Project (HGP), genomic sequencing technologies have yet to become parts of standard of care in Canada. This study investigates medical oncologists’ (MOs) genomic literacy and their experiences based on their parti...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-06-01
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| Series: | Human Resources for Health |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12960-017-0218-z |
| _version_ | 1818047286645620736 |
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| author | Peter Chow-White Dung Ha Janessa Laskin |
| author_facet | Peter Chow-White Dung Ha Janessa Laskin |
| author_sort | Peter Chow-White |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background It has been over a decade since the completion of the Human Genome Project (HGP), genomic sequencing technologies have yet to become parts of standard of care in Canada. This study investigates medical oncologists’ (MOs) genomic literacy and their experiences based on their participation in a cancer genomics trial in British Columbia, Canada. Methods The authors conducted a survey of MOs from British Columbia, Canada (n = 31, 52.5% response rate), who are actively involved in a clinical genomics trial called Personalized Onco-Genomics (POG). The authors also measured MOs’ level of genomic knowledge and attitudes about clinical genomics in cancer medicine. Results The findings show a low to moderate level of genomic literacy among MOs. MOs located outside the Vancouver area (the major urban center) reported less knowledge about new genetics technologies compared to those located in the major metropolitan area (26.7 vs 73.3%, P < 0.07, Fisher exact test). Forty-two percent of all MOs thought medical training programs do not offer enough genomic training. The majority of the respondents thought genomics will have major impact on drug discovery (67.7%), and treatment selection (58%) in the next 5 years. They also thought the major challenges are cost (61.3%), patient genomic literacy (48.3%), and clinical utility of genomics (42%). Conclusions The data suggest a high need to increase genomic literacy among MOs and other doctors in medical school training programs and beyond, especially to physicians in regional areas who may need more educational interventions. Initiatives like POG play a critical role in the education of MOs and the integration of big data clinical genomics into cancer care. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T10:03:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-481cc9f6f18340a6b460238c26cd0fad |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1478-4491 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T10:03:23Z |
| publishDate | 2017-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Human Resources for Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-481cc9f6f18340a6b460238c26cd0fad2022-12-22T01:53:18ZengBMCHuman Resources for Health1478-44912017-06-011511910.1186/s12960-017-0218-zKnowledge, attitudes, and values among physicians working with clinical genomics: a survey of medical oncologistsPeter Chow-White0Dung Ha1Janessa Laskin2Simon Fraser UniversitySimon Fraser UniversityBritish Columbia Cancer AgencyAbstract Background It has been over a decade since the completion of the Human Genome Project (HGP), genomic sequencing technologies have yet to become parts of standard of care in Canada. This study investigates medical oncologists’ (MOs) genomic literacy and their experiences based on their participation in a cancer genomics trial in British Columbia, Canada. Methods The authors conducted a survey of MOs from British Columbia, Canada (n = 31, 52.5% response rate), who are actively involved in a clinical genomics trial called Personalized Onco-Genomics (POG). The authors also measured MOs’ level of genomic knowledge and attitudes about clinical genomics in cancer medicine. Results The findings show a low to moderate level of genomic literacy among MOs. MOs located outside the Vancouver area (the major urban center) reported less knowledge about new genetics technologies compared to those located in the major metropolitan area (26.7 vs 73.3%, P < 0.07, Fisher exact test). Forty-two percent of all MOs thought medical training programs do not offer enough genomic training. The majority of the respondents thought genomics will have major impact on drug discovery (67.7%), and treatment selection (58%) in the next 5 years. They also thought the major challenges are cost (61.3%), patient genomic literacy (48.3%), and clinical utility of genomics (42%). Conclusions The data suggest a high need to increase genomic literacy among MOs and other doctors in medical school training programs and beyond, especially to physicians in regional areas who may need more educational interventions. Initiatives like POG play a critical role in the education of MOs and the integration of big data clinical genomics into cancer care.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12960-017-0218-zMedical big dataCancer genomicsCancer clinical trialsGenomic literacyApplied cancer genomicsHealth education |
| spellingShingle | Peter Chow-White Dung Ha Janessa Laskin Knowledge, attitudes, and values among physicians working with clinical genomics: a survey of medical oncologists Human Resources for Health Medical big data Cancer genomics Cancer clinical trials Genomic literacy Applied cancer genomics Health education |
| title | Knowledge, attitudes, and values among physicians working with clinical genomics: a survey of medical oncologists |
| title_full | Knowledge, attitudes, and values among physicians working with clinical genomics: a survey of medical oncologists |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge, attitudes, and values among physicians working with clinical genomics: a survey of medical oncologists |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge, attitudes, and values among physicians working with clinical genomics: a survey of medical oncologists |
| title_short | Knowledge, attitudes, and values among physicians working with clinical genomics: a survey of medical oncologists |
| title_sort | knowledge attitudes and values among physicians working with clinical genomics a survey of medical oncologists |
| topic | Medical big data Cancer genomics Cancer clinical trials Genomic literacy Applied cancer genomics Health education |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12960-017-0218-z |
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