Long-term outcomes of the "Genetics in Primary Care" faculty development initiative.

Background And Objectives: Between October 2000 and April 2001, 79 primary care physicians (PCPs) and 21 genetics professionals from 20 teaching medical universities across the United States participated in the Genetics in Primary Care (GPC) project (a national faculty development initiative for PCPs with teaching responsibilities). In 2004--2005, follow-up site visits and phone interviews were done to determine whether participation in the GPC faculty development program has had lasting effects on participants' teaching and clinical practices.

Methods: Site visits were performed at nine sites and individual phone interviews at remaining sites. The same questionnaire was used in both settings. Content analysis of responses was performed.

Results: Follow-up achieved responses at 19/20 sites, for a site-level response rate of 95%. All respondents reported having made changes to their formal and informal teaching practices. The majority of respondents (86% of phone interviews) also reported changes to their clinical practice, including an increased awareness of genetics in clinical situations and more appropriate referral patterns. All would recommend similar projects to colleagues, but some (32% of phone interviews) would advise assuring that certain conditions are present (eg, protected time, resources).

Conclusion: GPC has had lasting effects on its participants' teaching and clinical practices.