'Someday it will be the norm': physician perspectives on the utility of genome sequencing for patient care in the MedSeqProject. (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vassy, Jason L; Christensen, Kurt D; Slashinski, Melody J; Lautenbach, Denise M; Raghavan, Sridharan; Robinson, Jill Oliver; Blumenthal-Barby, Jennifer; Feuerman, Lindsay Zausmer; Lehmann, Lisa Soleymani; Murray, Michael F; Green, Robert C; McGuire, Amy L
• Is Part Of: Personalized medicine. Volume 12:Number 1(Year 2015)
• Page Start: 23
• Page End: 32
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: genomics -- high-throughput nucleotide sequencing -- pharmacogenetics -- physician's practice patterns -- qualitative research; Pharmacogenomics -- Periodicals; Pharmacogenetics -- Periodicals; 615.19
• DOI: 10.2217/pme.14.68
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-0541

Abstract

Aim: To describe practicing physicians' perceived clinical utility of genome sequencing.Materials & methods: We conducted a mixed-methods analysis of data from 18 primary care physicians and cardiologists in a study of the clinical integration of whole-genome sequencing. Physicians underwent brief genomics continuing medical education before completing surveys and semi-structured interviews.Results: Physicians described sequencing as currently lacking clinical utility because of its uncertain interpretation and limited impact on clinical decision-making, but they expressed the idea that its clinical integration was inevitable. Potential clinical uses for sequencing included complementing other clinical information, risk stratification, motivating patient behavior change and pharmacogenetics.Conclusion: Physicians given genomics continuing medical education use the language of both evidence-based and personalized medicine in describing the utility of genome-wide testing in patient care.