Genetic discrimination: the clinician perspective.

Clinicians attending continuing education sessions in California were surveyed about their beliefs and attitudes regarding genetic discrimination and their knowledge of protective legislation. Two hundred seventy-one surveys were collected from physicians (n = 191) and nurses (n = 80). Most respondents lacked information or were misinformed about the existence of protective legislation (58.3%) or published cases of insurance discrimination (85.2%); 52.4% believed that mutation carriers have difficulty obtaining health insurance; 13% would not encourage genetic testing, despite a family history of cancer. Clinician concerns about potential genetic discrimination, and lack of information regarding protective legislation, may influence access to care.