Mental Health Prescribers’ Perceptions on the Use of Pharmacogenetic Testing in the Management of Depression in the Middle East and North Africa Region
Shimaa Aboelbaha,1 Monica Zolezzi,2 Oraib Abdallah,3 Yassin Eltorki3 1College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; 2Clinical Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; 3Mental Health Service, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, QatarCorrespon...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Dove Medical Press
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.dovepress.com/mental-health-prescribers-perceptions-on-the-use-of-pharmacogenetic-te-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-PGPM |
| _version_ | 1797816393283928064 |
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| author | Aboelbaha S Zolezzi M Abdallah O Eltorki Y |
| author_facet | Aboelbaha S Zolezzi M Abdallah O Eltorki Y |
| author_sort | Aboelbaha S |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Shimaa Aboelbaha,1 Monica Zolezzi,2 Oraib Abdallah,3 Yassin Eltorki3 1College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; 2Clinical Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; 3Mental Health Service, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, QatarCorrespondence: Shimaa Aboelbaha, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar, Tel +974 74748700, Email sa1401981@qu.edu.qaObjective: A wide variety of commercial pharmacogenetic (PGx) tools are available worldwide to guide treatment selection for depression based on individuals’ genetic profiles. However, the use of genetic testing to inform psychiatric care has faced challenges due to the limited training and education for mental health clinicians. The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge, level of engagement, and perspectives on the use of PGx testing when making depression management decisions among practicing psychiatrists within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.Methods: This is a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Consenting psychiatrists were interviewed through an online platform (SkypeTM or Microsoft TeamsTM). Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed with the assistance of NVivo® software.Results: Eighteen interviews from 12 countries have been conducted. Analysis of the current interviews produced five major themes including: (1) Overall perceptions and attitudes; (2) Knowledge and awareness; (3) Education, training, and professional experience; (4) Facilitators and barriers; and (5) Ethical dilemmas. These themes support the notion that there is limited, mostly basic, education, knowledge, and training regarding genetic testing in the management of depression, although there is significant interest and willingness in the part of prescribers to adopt this strategy in their practice.Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest that psychiatrists practicing in the MENA region appear to be interested in implementing PGx testing when managing people with depression. However, it is also important to recognize that this cannot be achieved unless more supporting strategies are implemented within their current health system environment.Keywords: pharmacogenetic testing, depression, qualitative study, MENA region, psychiatry, mental health |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T08:36:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-59a386bda2a1478da96afc348a640f88 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1178-7066 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T08:36:58Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | Dove Medical Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-59a386bda2a1478da96afc348a640f882023-05-30T19:13:35ZengDove Medical PressPharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine1178-70662023-05-01Volume 1650351884083Mental Health Prescribers’ Perceptions on the Use of Pharmacogenetic Testing in the Management of Depression in the Middle East and North Africa RegionAboelbaha SZolezzi MAbdallah OEltorki YShimaa Aboelbaha,1 Monica Zolezzi,2 Oraib Abdallah,3 Yassin Eltorki3 1College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; 2Clinical Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar; 3Mental Health Service, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, QatarCorrespondence: Shimaa Aboelbaha, College of Pharmacy, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar, Tel +974 74748700, Email sa1401981@qu.edu.qaObjective: A wide variety of commercial pharmacogenetic (PGx) tools are available worldwide to guide treatment selection for depression based on individuals’ genetic profiles. However, the use of genetic testing to inform psychiatric care has faced challenges due to the limited training and education for mental health clinicians. The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge, level of engagement, and perspectives on the use of PGx testing when making depression management decisions among practicing psychiatrists within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.Methods: This is a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Consenting psychiatrists were interviewed through an online platform (SkypeTM or Microsoft TeamsTM). Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed with the assistance of NVivo® software.Results: Eighteen interviews from 12 countries have been conducted. Analysis of the current interviews produced five major themes including: (1) Overall perceptions and attitudes; (2) Knowledge and awareness; (3) Education, training, and professional experience; (4) Facilitators and barriers; and (5) Ethical dilemmas. These themes support the notion that there is limited, mostly basic, education, knowledge, and training regarding genetic testing in the management of depression, although there is significant interest and willingness in the part of prescribers to adopt this strategy in their practice.Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest that psychiatrists practicing in the MENA region appear to be interested in implementing PGx testing when managing people with depression. However, it is also important to recognize that this cannot be achieved unless more supporting strategies are implemented within their current health system environment.Keywords: pharmacogenetic testing, depression, qualitative study, MENA region, psychiatry, mental healthhttps://www.dovepress.com/mental-health-prescribers-perceptions-on-the-use-of-pharmacogenetic-te-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-PGPMpharmacogenetic testingdepressionqualitative studymena regionpsychiatry. |
| spellingShingle | Aboelbaha S Zolezzi M Abdallah O Eltorki Y Mental Health Prescribers’ Perceptions on the Use of Pharmacogenetic Testing in the Management of Depression in the Middle East and North Africa Region Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine pharmacogenetic testing depression qualitative study mena region psychiatry. |
| title | Mental Health Prescribers’ Perceptions on the Use of Pharmacogenetic Testing in the Management of Depression in the Middle East and North Africa Region |
| title_full | Mental Health Prescribers’ Perceptions on the Use of Pharmacogenetic Testing in the Management of Depression in the Middle East and North Africa Region |
| title_fullStr | Mental Health Prescribers’ Perceptions on the Use of Pharmacogenetic Testing in the Management of Depression in the Middle East and North Africa Region |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mental Health Prescribers’ Perceptions on the Use of Pharmacogenetic Testing in the Management of Depression in the Middle East and North Africa Region |
| title_short | Mental Health Prescribers’ Perceptions on the Use of Pharmacogenetic Testing in the Management of Depression in the Middle East and North Africa Region |
| title_sort | mental health prescribers rsquo perceptions on the use of pharmacogenetic testing in the management of depression in the middle east and north africa region |
| topic | pharmacogenetic testing depression qualitative study mena region psychiatry. |
| url | https://www.dovepress.com/mental-health-prescribers-perceptions-on-the-use-of-pharmacogenetic-te-peer-reviewed-fulltext-article-PGPM |
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