Center for genetic education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.
Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.
Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2024 Mar;136(5-6):137-145. doi: 10.1007/s00508-023-02152-0. Epub 2023 Feb 10.
To examine the knowledge, behavior, and attitudes toward medical genetics among obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and neurology residents and specialists, who encounter the highest number of patients with specific genetic disorders, in their everyday practice. The cross-sectional study involved 182 nongenetic residents and specialists in the Republic of Croatia, who completed a validated online questionnaire anonymously and voluntarily. The questionnaire consisted of five groups of questions: general information, knowledge, behavior in practice, attitude toward genetic testing, and additional education in medical genetics. The median score for overall knowledge of medical genetics was 70.2% among obstetrician-gynecologists, 80.5% among pediatricians, and 76.7% among neurologists (P < 0.001, lowest median in obstetrician-gynecologists). When asked about their behavior in daily practice, around 90% of respondents admitted the possibility of not recognizing patients with genetic disorders, which is why more than 90% emphasized the need for additional education in medical genetics. In addition, the respondents showed a positive attitude toward genetic testing, but they did not feel educated enough to interpret the results of genetic testing. The results highlight the need for further genetic education of non-genetic health professionals, which would lead to greater confidence and ability to recognize patients with genetic disorders, select the appropriate genetic testing method and achieve more efficient communication with patients.
为了检查在日常实践中遇到特定遗传疾病患者人数最多的妇产科、儿科和神经科住院医师和专家对医学遗传学的知识、行为和态度。该横断面研究涉及克罗地亚共和国的 182 名非遗传住院医师和专家，他们匿名自愿完成了一份经过验证的在线问卷。问卷由五组问题组成：一般信息、知识、实践中的行为、对遗传检测的态度和医学遗传学的额外教育。妇产科医生的医学遗传学总体知识中位数评分为 70.2%，儿科医生为 80.5%，神经科医生为 76.7%（P < 0.001，妇产科医生最低中位数）。当被问及他们在日常实践中的行为时，约 90%的受访者承认有可能无法识别患有遗传疾病的患者，这就是为什么超过 90%的受访者强调需要额外的医学遗传学教育。此外，受访者对遗传检测表现出积极的态度，但他们认为自己没有足够的能力解读遗传检测结果。研究结果强调了需要进一步对非遗传卫生专业人员进行遗传教育，这将提高他们识别遗传疾病患者、选择适当的遗传检测方法以及与患者进行更有效的沟通的信心和能力。
