Medical education in pharmacogenomics—results from a survey on pharmacogenetic knowledge in healthcare professionals within the European pharmacogenomics clinical implementation project Ubiquitous Pharmacogenomics (U-PGx)

Purpose Due to the diversity within Europe, the implementation of pharmacogenomic testing in clinical practice faces specific challenges. In the context of the European pharmacogenomics implementation project “Ubiquitous Pharmacogenomics” (U-PGx; funded by the European Commission), we studied the cu...

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Published in:European journal of clinical pharmacology 2017-10, Vol.73 (10), p.1247-1252
Main Authors: Just, Katja Susanne, Steffens, Michael, Swen, Jesse Joachim, Patrinos, George P., Guchelaar, Henk-Jan, Stingl, Julia Carolin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Drug metabolism
Education
Education, Medical - organization & administration
Europe
Health Personnel - education
Humans
Medical education
Medical personnel
Pharmacogenetics
Pharmacogenetics - education
Pharmacogenomic Testing
Pharmacogenomic Variants
Pharmacogenomics
Pharmacology, Clinical - education
Pharmacology/Toxicology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Training
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Summary:Purpose Due to the diversity within Europe, the implementation of pharmacogenomic testing in clinical practice faces specific challenges. In the context of the European pharmacogenomics implementation project “Ubiquitous Pharmacogenomics” (U-PGx; funded by the European Commission), we studied the current educational background. Methods We developed a questionnaire including 29 questions. It was spread out to healthcare professionals working at the future implementation sites (in Austria, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and Great Britain) of the U-PGx project in preparation of an educational programme. Aim of the survey was to analyse the current educational situation at the implementation sites. Results In total, 70 healthcare professionals participated in the survey. Of participants, 84.3% found pharmacogenomics relevant to their current practice, but experience was still rare. More than two-thirds (65.7%) did not order nor recommend a pharmacogenomic test in the past year. This was mainly attributed to not having enough knowledge on pharmacogenomics (40.0%). Needs were identified in application of pharmacogenomics (identifying drugs 41.4%, interpreting test results 37.2%) as well as in underlining mechanisms (better knowledge on drug metabolism 67.1%, better knowledge on basic principles of pharmacogenomics 60.0%). Conclusions This study analysed the specific attitudes, experience and education on pharmacogenomics of future users. There was a general positive attitude and interest towards pharmacogenomic testing. However, the grade of own experience, and knowledge about application and interpretation of pharmacogenomics caused uncertainty. Thus, education and training programmes may be helpful for implementation of pharmacogenomics at a homogenous level within Europe.
ISSN:0031-6970
1432-1041
DOI:10.1007/s00228-017-2292-5