Date of Presentation
5-4-2023 12:00 AM
College
School of Osteopathic Medicine
Poster Abstract
Background: While direct-to-consumer (DTC) at-home genetic testing like 23andMe provides users with potentially valuable information about their genetics and health risks, consumers might not have the background or knowledge to fully comprehend and interpret the results. This concept is a pressing issue because of the rise in popularity of these DTC genetic tests.
Purpose: The goal of this study is to elucidate the beliefs and attitudes of 23andMe users and determine the relationship between their test results and likelihood for taking medical action. The results from the study will give clinicians and primary care providers (PCPs) insight into how to help their patients navigate this sensitive genetic information.
Method: A Qualtrics survey using a Likert scale was created and administered to Rowan Family Medicine patients between the ages of 18-75 while they were in the waiting room or in the exam room. These survey answers were compiled and analyzed using statistical analysis.
Results: There were a total of 17 respondents (82% were female). 33.3% responded 'yes” or “probably yes” when asked if they are trusting of DCT testing. The major finding from this project is that the majority of patients (68.8%) preferred to receive genetic testing from their PCP. Only 12.5% preferred to receive genetic information from DTC testing, and 18.8% of patients were unsure of which they preferred.
Conclusion: This data supports that the majority of family medicine patients prefer to get genetic testing from their PCP rather than from a DTC genetic test, like 23andMe. This finding reinforces the need to obtain information on patients and their views on DTC genetic testing so that clinicians can best help guide their patients. The plan is to continue this project in the 2023-2024 academic year by collecting and analyzing additional data.
Keywords
Genetic Testing, Primary Care Physicians, Direct-To-Consumer Screening and Testing, Attitude to Health
Disciplines
Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms | Family Medicine | Health and Medical Administration | Health Information Technology | Health Services Research | Investigative Techniques | Medicine and Health Sciences | Public Health Education and Promotion
Document Type
Poster
Included in
Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons, Family Medicine Commons, Health and Medical Administration Commons, Health Information Technology Commons, Health Services Research Commons, Investigative Techniques Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons
A Clinician's Guide to 23andMe: A Survey-Based Study on People’s Attitudes and Actions Towards Direct-To-Consumer Genetic Testing
Background: While direct-to-consumer (DTC) at-home genetic testing like 23andMe provides users with potentially valuable information about their genetics and health risks, consumers might not have the background or knowledge to fully comprehend and interpret the results. This concept is a pressing issue because of the rise in popularity of these DTC genetic tests.
Purpose: The goal of this study is to elucidate the beliefs and attitudes of 23andMe users and determine the relationship between their test results and likelihood for taking medical action. The results from the study will give clinicians and primary care providers (PCPs) insight into how to help their patients navigate this sensitive genetic information.
Method: A Qualtrics survey using a Likert scale was created and administered to Rowan Family Medicine patients between the ages of 18-75 while they were in the waiting room or in the exam room. These survey answers were compiled and analyzed using statistical analysis.
Results: There were a total of 17 respondents (82% were female). 33.3% responded 'yes” or “probably yes” when asked if they are trusting of DCT testing. The major finding from this project is that the majority of patients (68.8%) preferred to receive genetic testing from their PCP. Only 12.5% preferred to receive genetic information from DTC testing, and 18.8% of patients were unsure of which they preferred.
Conclusion: This data supports that the majority of family medicine patients prefer to get genetic testing from their PCP rather than from a DTC genetic test, like 23andMe. This finding reinforces the need to obtain information on patients and their views on DTC genetic testing so that clinicians can best help guide their patients. The plan is to continue this project in the 2023-2024 academic year by collecting and analyzing additional data.