Clinical genetics issues encountered by family physicians.

Clinical genetics issues encountered by family physicians. Research Abstract Details

Research Abstract Table of Contents

Jump to the:

Abstract Text of This Paper

Journal Published

MeSH Keywords of This Abstract

Chemicals and Substances Used in this Paper

Grants and Granting Agency of this Research

Database Accession Numbers Used in this Paper

Clinical genetics issues encountered by family physicians. Abstract Text:

Louise S Acheson,Kurt C Stange,Stephen Zyzanski,Louise S Acheson,Kurt C Stange,Stephen Zyzanski,

PURPOSE: To describe the genetics-related clinical issues encountered by family physicians, and the medical problems they referred to genetics consultants. METHODS: Questionnaires were mailed to a nationwide, random sample of 498 practicing family physicians, asking how many times in the past year they discussed genetic information about 19 familial or genetic conditions with patients and what proportion of the families with each genetic condition were referred for genetics consultation. Factor analysis was used to group the conditions. RESULTS: The response rate was 38% (n = 190). Respondents were similar to non-respondents except that more were women. Most family physicians reported discussing the genetics of common cancers, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease with two or more patients in the past year. Thirteen percent had referred families for genetics assessment of breast-ovarian cancer but only two made genetics referrals for cardiovascular disease or dementia. 25% to 50% of family physicians had addressed genetic issues in at least one family with hemoglobinopathy, a blood clotting disorder, hemochromatosis, mental illness, vision loss or deafness, chromosome abnormality, infertility or pregnancy loss, congenital anomalies, mental retardation, and neurofibromatosis. Most cases were not referred to geneticists. Of respondents, 23% said that genetics consultation is very difficult to obtain or unavailable and 18% listed ethical and social dilemmas related to pursuing genetic diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Nationwide, family physicians address a variety of genetics issues with patients, most frequently consulting geneticists for perinatal conditions and familial cancers. Access to genetics consultation is more difficult in rural areas. These data may be used in organizing genetics services and in planning professional education programs for primary care clinicians.

Clinical genetics issues encountered by family physicians. Publishing Authors By Initials

LS Acheson,KC Stange,S Zyzanski,LS Acheson,KC Stange,S Zyzanski,

For similar investigative techniques: epidemiologic methods: data collection: questionnaires research abstracts see: investigative techniques: epidemiologic methods: data collection: questionnaires research

PUBMED ID PMID:

MEDLINE DATE:

Clinical genetics issues encountered by family physicians. Journal Published:

PUBLICATION TYPE: Research Support, U.S. Gov't,

Journal: Genetics in medicine : official journal of the Ame

VOLUME: 7

Page Numbers: 501-8

Journal Abbreviation: Genet. Med.

ISSN: 1098-3600

DAY: 1

MONTH: Sep

YEAR: 2005

Clinical genetics issues encountered by family physicians. Information

Number of References:

LANGUAGE: eng

NlmUniqueID: 9815831

Clinical genetics issues encountered by family physicians. Keywords Mesh Terms:

KEYWORDS: Questionnaires

MESH TERMS: ethics

Chemical & Substance for Abstract: Clinical genetics issues encountered by family physicians. Information

Substance Name:

Registry Number:

Grant and Affiliation Information for Clinical genetics issues encountered by family physicians.

AFFILIATION: Family Medicine Research Division and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of Cleveland, OH 44106-5036, USA.

Country: United States