Naidoo Levani, Reddy Poovendhree
Department of Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa.
J Community Genet. 2022 Dec;13(6):567-577. doi: 10.1007/s12687-022-00606-y. Epub 2022 Sep 9.
The use of predictive genetic testing, particularly for risk profiling in non-communicable diseases (NCDs), has the potential to benefit public health by decreasing the disease burden and alleviating the pressure on healthcare. It is thus important to assess knowledge and uptake among stakeholders. This study aimed to assess end users' (community, medical practitioners and medical students) knowledge and attitudes regarding the use and support of genomic medicine. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) among 3 groups of stakeholders (n = 170): medical practitioners from both private and public healthcare, medical students from UKZN and community members represented by teachers. Three structured questionnaires using a Likert scale were administered. Responses were stratified by practice type, and a scoring scale was developed. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to reduce data on all constructs that made up each variable. All three groups showed adequate knowledge and a positive attitude towards use, apart from medical students who were not as keen to support future use in their own practice. Although medical practitioners supported the use of this technology, with necessary guidelines, expertise and affordability, only 18% from private practice reported having used it. PCA reduced data to fewer parsimonious constructs for all 3 groups: common threads included an awareness that genetic testing may improve health and disease outcomes; guidelines for use; and the provision of education to increase awareness, training to bolster expertise and confidence to use these services. Participants in this study attributed a lack of uptake to limited expertise and professional support, and a lack of legislative guidelines. We recommend updating continuing professional development for medical practitioners and promoting community education concomitantly. Provision of guidelines and increased accessibility to resources are important.
使用预测性基因检测，特别是用于非传染性疾病（NCDs）的风险评估，有可能通过减轻疾病负担和缓解医疗保健压力来造福公众健康。因此，评估利益相关者的知识水平和接受程度很重要。本研究旨在评估最终用户（社区、医生和医学生）对基因组医学使用和支持的知识与态度。在夸祖鲁 - 纳塔尔省（KZN）对三组利益相关者（n = 170）进行了描述性横断面调查：来自私立和公立医疗保健机构的医生、夸祖鲁 - 纳塔尔大学（UKZN）的医学生以及由教师代表的社区成员。使用李克特量表发放了三份结构化问卷。回答按执业类型分层，并制定了评分量表。主成分分析（PCA）用于减少构成每个变量的所有结构的数据。除了医学生对在自己的实践中支持未来使用不太热衷外，所有三组都表现出足够的知识和积极的使用态度。尽管医生支持使用这项技术，但在有必要的指导方针、专业知识和可承受性的情况下，只有18%的私立执业医生报告使用过它。主成分分析将所有三组的数据简化为更少的简约结构：共同主题包括意识到基因检测可能改善健康和疾病结果；使用指南；以及提供教育以提高认识、培训以增强专业知识和使用这些服务的信心。本研究的参与者将使用不足归因于专业知识和专业支持有限以及缺乏立法指导方针。我们建议更新医生的继续职业发展并同时促进社区教育。提供指导方针和增加资源获取机会很重要。
