Evaluating the current knowledge and perceptions among Finnish physicians and pharmacists of pharmacogenetics
Bergholm, Julia Maria Olivia (2022)
2022
Publikationen är skyddad av upphovsrätten. Den får läsas och skrivas ut för personligt bruk. Användning i kommersiellt syfte är förbjuden.
Publikationens permanenta adress är
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2022052739148
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2022052739148
Abstrakt
Over 90 percent of the population has a genetic variation in any of the significant genes that metabolize drugs in the body (David, et al., 2021). These variants can be detected with a pharmacogenetic (PGx) test and, hence, avoid any adverse drug reactions or side effects that may occur due to abnormal drug metabolism. A PGx test alone is not enough for improved drug treatment. The physician needs to understand the results and know what changes need to be implemented based on the results, either by discontinuing the treatment, dose adjustment or choosing another drug. PGx testing has previously been perceived as something that is relevant only in the future. The fact is that PGx testing has lately received much more attention and it has become an important tool for personalized medicine (Edris, et al., 2021). However, its clinical implementation still remains limited.
In this study, a 28-question survey was distributed online to Finnish physicians and pharmacists, including students in respective professions, working in either/both the municipal and/or private sector in Finland. The survey aimed to evaluate the current knowledge and perceptions among Finnish physicians and pharmacists of pharmacogenetics. The first eighteen questions and/or statements examine participants´ characteristics and general knowledge about pharmacogenetics. The following ten questions and/or statements examine participants´ deeper knowledge about pharmacogenetics.
Altogether, 151 answers were submitted, of which 88 by pharmacists, 46 by physicians, and 17 by students. Forty-six percent strongly agreed, and forty-two percent agreed to the statement: “I believe that pharmacogenetic testing is helpful for predicting the risk of side effects for the patient”. However, only 6.5% (n=3) of all physicians stated that they have used PGx testing in their clinical practice more frequently.
Even though twenty-six percent either strongly disagreed or disagreed with the statement: “I have basic knowledge of pharmacogenetics”, the results showed that the majority were nevertheless interested in receiving PGx education.
In this study, a 28-question survey was distributed online to Finnish physicians and pharmacists, including students in respective professions, working in either/both the municipal and/or private sector in Finland. The survey aimed to evaluate the current knowledge and perceptions among Finnish physicians and pharmacists of pharmacogenetics. The first eighteen questions and/or statements examine participants´ characteristics and general knowledge about pharmacogenetics. The following ten questions and/or statements examine participants´ deeper knowledge about pharmacogenetics.
Altogether, 151 answers were submitted, of which 88 by pharmacists, 46 by physicians, and 17 by students. Forty-six percent strongly agreed, and forty-two percent agreed to the statement: “I believe that pharmacogenetic testing is helpful for predicting the risk of side effects for the patient”. However, only 6.5% (n=3) of all physicians stated that they have used PGx testing in their clinical practice more frequently.
Even though twenty-six percent either strongly disagreed or disagreed with the statement: “I have basic knowledge of pharmacogenetics”, the results showed that the majority were nevertheless interested in receiving PGx education.
Collections
- 317 Farmaci [18]