Implementing pharmacogenomic testing in Australian general practice: an exploratory qualitative study
Creators: name: Ewasiuk, Emma
name: Emery, Jon
name: Reid, Gabrielle
name: Saya, Sibel
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2024
Subjects: Medicine
Pharmacology
Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
Cancer
Science Policy

description: <b>Aim:</b> To explore general practitioners’ (GPs) views on implementing pharmacogenomic testing in Australian general practice. <b>Methods:</b> Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine GPs in Australia, recruited from primary care networks. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. Themes were mapped onto the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research domains. <b>Results:</b> Barriers to implementation included lack of knowledge, education, standardized pharmacogenomic reports and national clinical guidelines and financial inaccessibility. Facilitators included positive exposure to pharmacogenomics, peer influences, interdisciplinary collaboration and proven clinical utility. Current uptake was minimal; however, GPs shared positive perceptions of clinical use. <b>Conclusion:</b> Recommendations for successful implementation include building and disseminating clinical evidence, developing national guidelines and standardized reports, incorporation into formal education and increasing financial accessibility. This article describes an original research study that examines the implementation of pharmacogenomic testing in Australian general practice. Pharmacogenomic testing applies personalized genomic information to medication prescribing, as genetic differences can affect how a person metabolizes certain medications. While there is excitement about the possibilities of using pharmacogenomics, the general uptake is slow. This study looked to understand the barriers and facilitators to implementation from the perspectives of general practitioners in Australia. Through exploratory interviews with general practitioners, this study identified that barriers to implementation include a lack of knowledge, education, standardized reports and national clinical guidelines and financial inaccessibility. Facilitators include positive exposure to pharmacogenomic testing, peer influences, interdisciplinary collaboration and proven clinical utility. Current uptake was minimal; however, GPs shared positive perceptions of the potential of testing. Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations were generated for successful implementation: building and disseminating clinical evidence, developing national guidelines, incorporation into formal education, establishing accessible experts and improving financial accessibility. A qualitative study explores the barriers and facilitators to successful implementation of pharmacogenomic testing in Australian general practice. Pharmacogenomic testing provides an opportunity to tailor drug prescriptions to individuals, which can possibly increase adherence and reduce adverse effects, time to successful treatment and costs. Understanding the implementation of pharmacogenomic testing in general practice is important as GPs are often the first contact patients will have in the medical care system, and are also the healthcare professionals who are prescribing medication. This study used exploratory interviews with GPs to understand their perceptions of pharmacogenomic testing, including perceived barriers and facilitators to implementation. Themes were generated through analysis and considered under the five domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. While perceptions surrounding pharmacogenomics were positive, current use by GPs was low. Barriers to implementation included lack of knowledge, education, standardized pharmacogenomic reports and national clinical guidelines and financial inaccessibility. Facilitators included positive exposure to pharmacogenomics, peer influences, interdisciplinary collaboration and proven clinical utility. Recommendations for implementation were generated, including building and disseminating clinical evidence, developing national guidelines, incorporation into formal education, establishing accessible experts and improving financial accessibility.