TY - JOUR
T1 - Findings from a community education needs assessment to facilitate the integration of genomic medicine into primary care
AU - Christianson, Carol A.
AU - Powell, Karen P.
AU - Hahn, Susan E.
AU - Bartz, Deborah
AU - Roxbury, Tiese
AU - Blanton, Susan H.
AU - Vance, Jeffery M.
AU - Pericak-Vance, Margaret
AU - Telfair, Joseph
AU - Henrich, Vinvent C.
PY - 2010/9
Y1 - 2010/9
N2 - PURPOSE: To assess the lay public's knowledge of, and beliefs about, genetics and genetic testing to create an educational initiative that promotes acceptance and utilization of genomic medicine in primary health care. METHODS: A telephone survey of English-speaking adults in Guilford County, North Carolina was conducted in 2006 to identify community members' educational needs regarding genetics and genetic testing. RESULTS: Most respondents recognized the connection between family history and disease risk. A majority did not appear to know about: (1) basic principles of inheritance, (2) laws prohibiting genetic discrimination, and (3) the availability and limitations of genetic tests. About 25% thought that they could not reduce their risk if they have a genetic predisposition for disease. Knowledge level was affected by education, experience, age, and race. CONCLUSION: If primary care providers use family history as a risk assessment tool, community education programs must address (1) the collection of family health history, (2) legislation regarding genetic nondiscrimination, (3) benefits and limitations of existing genetic tests, and (4) genetic determinism. Programs emphasizing practical, "how to" information can be targeted to individuals likely to collect family history information and address misperceptions about discrimination, testing, and determinism.
AB - PURPOSE: To assess the lay public's knowledge of, and beliefs about, genetics and genetic testing to create an educational initiative that promotes acceptance and utilization of genomic medicine in primary health care. METHODS: A telephone survey of English-speaking adults in Guilford County, North Carolina was conducted in 2006 to identify community members' educational needs regarding genetics and genetic testing. RESULTS: Most respondents recognized the connection between family history and disease risk. A majority did not appear to know about: (1) basic principles of inheritance, (2) laws prohibiting genetic discrimination, and (3) the availability and limitations of genetic tests. About 25% thought that they could not reduce their risk if they have a genetic predisposition for disease. Knowledge level was affected by education, experience, age, and race. CONCLUSION: If primary care providers use family history as a risk assessment tool, community education programs must address (1) the collection of family health history, (2) legislation regarding genetic nondiscrimination, (3) benefits and limitations of existing genetic tests, and (4) genetic determinism. Programs emphasizing practical, "how to" information can be targeted to individuals likely to collect family history information and address misperceptions about discrimination, testing, and determinism.
KW - community survey
KW - educational needs assessment
KW - educational plan
KW - family history
KW - genomic medicine
KW - physician education
KW - public knowledge
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77957235572&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/GIM.0b013e3181ed3f97
DO - 10.1097/GIM.0b013e3181ed3f97
M3 - Article
SN - 1098-3600
VL - 12
SP - 587
EP - 593
JO - Genetics in Medicine
JF - Genetics in Medicine
IS - 9
ER -