Hunter A, Wright P, Cappelli M, Kasaboski A, Surh L
Department of Genetics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada.
Clin Genet. 1998 Jun;53(6):447-55. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.1998.tb02593.x.
To better define the knowledge and attitudes of practicing physicians about genetics; specifically molecular genetics. Further, to examine differences between four practice specialties and to assess variables that affect both knowledge and attitudes.
A mail-in survey was sent to a random sample of non-geneticist physicians, with a second copy sent to non-responders. Questions included sociodemographic variables, sources of current knowledge and education in genetics, clinical experience with genetic disease, self-confidence in providing genetic counseling, attitudes towards referring patients to a genetic center, awareness of molecular genetic testing and attitudes towards its use in clinical practice and population screening.
Responses were obtained from over 900 practicing physicians in the Canadian province of Ontario (population 10 million). Genetic services are provided through nine major and several outreach centers. Molecular diagnostic services are provided through six provincially funded laboratories. There are no direct costs to the patient for any genetic service.
A random sample of family physicians, obstetricians, pediatricians and internists was surveyed from both private and hospital based practices.
Responses varied by specialty, years from graduation, gender, and type of practice. Pediatricians and obstetricians were more knowledgeable about genetics, had more interaction with genetic services and were more supportive of their utility. A major proportion of physicians continue to rely upon undergraduate and medical school courses for knowledge, and the specialties showed different preferences for seeking information. A majority of physicians considered their knowledge of genetics to be adequate, but a minority were confident to provide genetic counseling for simple genetic scenarios. Relatively few had actually made use of DNA diagnostic services and there was relatively poor knowledge of what services were available.
更好地明确执业医师关于遗传学，特别是分子遗传学的知识和态度。此外，研究四个执业专科之间的差异，并评估影响知识和态度的变量。
向非遗传学家医师的随机样本邮寄调查问卷，未回复者会收到第二份问卷。问题包括社会人口统计学变量、遗传学当前知识和教育的来源、遗传疾病的临床经验、提供遗传咨询的自信程度、将患者转诊至遗传中心的态度、分子遗传学检测的知晓情况以及对其在临床实践和人群筛查中应用的态度。
从加拿大安大略省（人口1000万）的900多名执业医师处获得了回复。通过九个主要中心和几个外展中心提供遗传服务。通过六个省级资助的实验室提供分子诊断服务。患者接受任何遗传服务均无需直接付费。
从私人诊所和医院诊所中随机抽取家庭医生、产科医生、儿科医生和内科医生进行调查。
回复因专科、毕业年限、性别和执业类型而异。儿科医生和产科医生对遗传学了解更多，与遗传服务的互动更多，并且更支持其效用。大部分医师继续依赖本科和医学院课程获取知识，并且各专科在寻求信息方面表现出不同偏好。大多数医师认为他们的遗传学知识足够，但少数人有信心为简单的遗传情况提供遗传咨询。实际使用DNA诊断服务的人相对较少，并且对可用服务的了解相对较差。
