Physicians' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Point-of-Care Pharmacogenetic Testing: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Exploring NICU nurses' views of a novel genetic point-of-care test identifying neonates at risk of antibiotic-induced ototoxicity: A qualitative study

AIM

To explore the views of neonatal intensive care nursing staff on the deliverability of a novel genetic point-of-care test detecting a genetic variant associated with antibiotic-induced ototoxicity.

DESIGN

An interpretive, descriptive, qualitative interview study.

METHODS

Data were collected using semi-structured interviews undertaken between January and November 2020. Participants were neonatal intensive care nursing staff taking part in the Pharmacogenetics to Avoid Loss of Hearing trial.

RESULTS

Thematic analysis resulted in four themes: perceived clinical utility; the golden hour; point-of-care device; training and support. Recommendations were made to streamline the protocol and ongoing training and support were considered key to incorporating the test into routine care.

CONCLUSION

Exploring the views of nurses involved in the delivery of the point-of-care test was essential in its implementation. By the study endpoint, all participants could see the value of routine clinical introduction of the point-of care test.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE

Nurses are in a key position to support the delivery of point-of-care genetic testing into mainstream settings. This study has implications for the successful integration of other genetic point-of-care tests in acute healthcare settings.

IMPACT

The study will help to tailor the training and support required for routine deployment of the genetic point-of-care test. The study has relevance for nurses involved in the development and delivery of genetic point-of-care tests in other acute hospital settings.

REPORTING METHOD

This qualitative study adheres to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research EQUATOR guidelines and utilizes COREQ and SRQR checklists.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

All staff working on the participating neonatal intensive care units were trained to use the genetic point-of-care test. All inpatients on the participating units were eligible to have testing via the point-of-care test. The Pharmacogenetics to Avoid Loss of Hearing Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement group provided valuable feedback.

TRIAL AND PROTOCOL REGISTRATION

Registered within the University of Manchester. Ethics approval reference numbers: IRAS: 253102 REC reference: 19/NW/0400. Also registered with the ISRCTN ref: ISRCTN13704894.

Investigation of community pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes of pharmacogenomics testing: implication for improved pharmacogenomic testing practice

BACKGROUND

Community pharmacists must be well-equipped to advance pharmacogenomics services. Nevertheless, limited data is available regarding pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes toward pharmacogenomics testing. The present study aimed to evaluate community pharmacists' knowledge and attitudes toward pharmacogenomics testing in the UAE.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, a validated, online, self-administered survey, was randomly distributed to community pharmacists across the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

RESULTS

The participants demonstrated poor knowledge about pharmacogenomic testing (median score < 8). Having 10-29 (Adjusted odds ration [AOR]: 0.038; 95% CI: 0.01-0.146, p = 0.001) and 30-49 (AOR: 0.097; 95% CI: 0.04-0.237, p = 0.001) patients per day was associated with poorer knowledge. Also, receiving 10-29 (AOR: 0.046; 95% CI: 0.005-0.401, p = 0.005), 30-49 (AOR: 0.025; 95% CI: 0.003-0.211, p = 0.001), and > 50 (AOR: 0.049; 95% CI: 0.005-0.458, p = 0.008) prescriptions decreased the odds of having good knowledge. Around half (43.9%) of the participants did not show a positive attitude toward pharmacogenomic testing (median score < 11). Having 30-49 patients per day (AOR: 5.351; 95% CI: 2.414-11.860, p = 0.001) increased the odds of good knowledge while receiving 10-29 (AOR: 0.133; 95% CI: 0.056-0.315, p = 0.001) and 30-49 (AOR: 0.111; 95% CI: 0.049-0.252, p = 0.001) prescriptions a day were associated with decreased odds of positive attitude toward the pharmacogenomics testing.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate a lack of knowledge and less-than-ideal attitudes among community pharmacists regarding pharmacogenomics testing. Enhanced efforts focused on educational initiatives and training activities related to pharmacogenomics testing is needed. Additionally, reducing workload can facilitate better knowledge acquisition and help mitigate unfavorable attitudes.

Healthcare professionals' and consumers' knowledge, attitudes, perspectives, and education needs in oncology pharmacogenomics: A systematic review

Clinical implementation of pharmacogenomic (PGx)-guided prescribing in oncology lags behind research evidence generation. We aimed to identify healthcare professionals' (HCPs) and consumers' knowledge, attitudes, perspectives, and education needs to inform strategies for implementation of scalable and sustainable oncology PGx programs. Systematic review of original articles indexed in EMBASE, EMCARE, MEDLINE, and PsycInfo from January 2012 until June 2022, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. PROSPERO registration number CRD42022352348. Of 1442 identified studies; 23 met inclusion criteria with 87% assessed high quality. Of these, 52% reported on HCPs, 35% on consumers, and 13% on both HCPs and consumers. Most were conducted in the United States (70%) and included multiple cancer types (74%). Across studies, HCPs and consumers mostly perceived value in PGx, however, both groups reported barriers to utilization, including cost, lack of consistent recommendations across guidelines, and limited knowledge among HCPs; test accuracy, clear testing benefits, and genomic information confidentiality among consumers. HCPs and consumers value and want to engage in PGx strategies in oncology care, however, are inhibited by unmet needs and practice and knowledge gaps. Implementation strategies aimed at addressing these issues may best support increased PGx uptake in oncology practice.