Yuan Mai1, Theodora Koromila2, Aggeliki Sagia1, David N Cooper3, Georgios Vlachopoulos4, George Lagoumintzis5, Panagoula Kollia2, Konstantinos Poulas1, Vlassios Stathakopoulos6, George P Patrinos7. 1. University of Patras, School of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, University Campus, Rion, GR-265 04, Patras, Greece. 2. National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Physical Sciences, Department of Biology, Athens, Greece. 3. Institute of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK. 4. University of Patras, School of Medicine, Department of Medical Physics, Patras, Greece. 5. Department of Optics & Optometry, School of Sciences of Health & Care, Technological Educational Institute of Patras, Egion, Greece. 6. Department of Marketing & Communication, Athens University of Economics & Business, Athens, Greece. 7. University of Patras, School of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, University Campus, Rion, GR-265 04, Patras, Greece; University of Patras, School of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy, University Campus, GR-265 04, Rion, Patras, Greece. gpatrinos@upatras.gr.
Abstract
AIM: Progress in deciphering the functionality of the human genome sequence in the wake of technological advances in the field of genomic medicine have dramatically reduced the overall costs of genetic analysis, thereby facilitating the incorporation of genetic testing services into mainstream clinical practice. Although Greek genetic testing laboratories offer a variety of different genetic tests, relatively little is known about how either the general public or medical practitioners perceive genetic testing services. MATERIALS & METHODS: We have therefore performed a nationwide survey of the views of 1717 members of the general public, divided into three age groups, from all over Greece, and residing in both large and small cities and villages, in order to acquire a better understanding of how they perceive genetic testing. We also canvassed the opinions of 496 medical practitioners with regard to genetic testing services in a separate survey that addressed similar issues. RESULTS: Our subsequent analysis indicated that a large proportion of the general public is aware of the nature of DNA, genetic disorders and the potential benefits of genetic testing, although this proportion declines steadily with age. Furthermore, a large proportion of the interviewed individuals would be willing to undergo genetic testing even if the cost of analysis was not covered by healthcare insurance. However, a relatively small proportion of the general public has actually been advized to undergo genetic testing, either by relatives or physicians. Most physicians believe that the regulatory and legal framework that governs genetic testing services in Greece is rather weak. Interestingly, the vast majority of the general public strongly opposes direct-access genetic testing, and most would prefer referral from a physician than from a pharmacist. CONCLUSION: Overall, our results provide a critical evaluation of the views of the general public with regard to genetics and genetic testing services in Greece and should serve as a model for replication in other populations.
AIM: Progress in deciphering the functionality of the human genome sequence in the wake of technological advances in the field of genomic medicine have dramatically reduced the overall costs of genetic analysis, thereby facilitating the incorporation of genetic testing services into mainstream clinical practice. Although Greek genetic testing laboratories offer a variety of different genetic tests, relatively little is known about how either the general public or medical practitioners perceive genetic testing services. MATERIALS & METHODS: We have therefore performed a nationwide survey of the views of 1717 members of the general public, divided into three age groups, from all over Greece, and residing in both large and small cities and villages, in order to acquire a better understanding of how they perceive genetic testing. We also canvassed the opinions of 496 medical practitioners with regard to genetic testing services in a separate survey that addressed similar issues. RESULTS: Our subsequent analysis indicated that a large proportion of the general public is aware of the nature of DNA, genetic disorders and the potential benefits of genetic testing, although this proportion declines steadily with age. Furthermore, a large proportion of the interviewed individuals would be willing to undergo genetic testing even if the cost of analysis was not covered by healthcare insurance. However, a relatively small proportion of the general public has actually been advized to undergo genetic testing, either by relatives or physicians. Most physicians believe that the regulatory and legal framework that governs genetic testing services in Greece is rather weak. Interestingly, the vast majority of the general public strongly opposes direct-access genetic testing, and most would prefer referral from a physician than from a pharmacist. CONCLUSION: Overall, our results provide a critical evaluation of the views of the general public with regard to genetics and genetic testing services in Greece and should serve as a model for replication in other populations.
Entities:
Keywords:
education; general public awareness; genetic testing; healthcare; insurance cost; molecular genetics; pharmacogenomics; physicians’ opinion; reimbursement
Authors: Konstantinos Mitropoulos; Federico Innocenti; Ron H van Schaik; Alexander Lezhava; Giannis Tzimas; Panagoula Kollia; Milan Macek; Paolo Fortina; George P Patrinos Journal: Pharmacogenomics Date: 2012-03 Impact factor: 2.533
Authors: George P Patrinos; Emmanouil Pasparakis; Erasmia Koiliari; Alexandre C Pereira; Tábita Hünemeier; Lygia V Pereira; Christina Mitropoulou Journal: Am J Hum Genet Date: 2020-10-01 Impact factor: 11.025
Authors: Chandrama Mukherjee; Kevin M Sweet; Jasmine A Luzum; Mahmoud Abdel-Rasoul; Michael F Christman; Joseph P Kitzmiller Journal: Per Med Date: 2017-09-01 Impact factor: 2.512