Pharmacogenetic educational needs and the role of pharmacogenetics in primary care: a focus group study with multiple perspectives.

Background: Pharmacogenomics (PGx) is a well-established concept of how genes impact medication response, with many studies demonstrating reductions in medication side effects, improved efficacy and cost effectiveness. Despite these benefits, implementation of PGx in daily practice remains limited. Studies on the implementation of PGx in clinical practice have previously found that inadequate knowledge is one of the main barriers. Details regarding specifically which educational needs exist among family medicine clinicians requires further study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify both the perceived role that pharmacogenomics (PGx) could play in primary care practice, the knowledge gaps that family medicine clinicians experience, and the skills they require to use PGx in their daily practice.

Methods: To achieve this aim, the attitudes, knowledge, barriers, skills needed, and preferred educational program were explored in a family medicine clinician focus group study via a semi-structured interview and knowledge quiz. Second, multidisciplinary focus groups provided information on the level of knowledge and necessary skills to use PGx in patient care. After gathering key recorded information from both focus groups, the perceived role pharmacogenomics could possibly play in primary care, the predominant knowledge gaps, and the most appropriate educational program was determined by qualitative analysis.

Results: Four themes emerged regarding the PGx educational needs and the role of PGx in family medicine: 1) need for PGx competences, 2) insight into the roles and responsibilities of PGx services, 3) optimization of PGx workflow through artificial intelligence integrated in the electronic health record, and 4) the ethical dilemmas and psychological effects related to PGx. These themes reflect a shift in the role of PGx in family medicine with implications for education.

Conclusion: The results obtained from this study will help improve the implementation of PGx in daily practice, and consequently, may result in increased utilization of PGx, thereby resulting in improved medication efficacy and reduced side effects.