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Dortenzio V, Rhodes R, Merkelson A, Naik H. Research biobank participants attitudes towards genetic exceptionalism and health record confidentiality. J Community Genet 2024; 15:267-280. [PMID: 38441842 PMCID: PMC11217258 DOI: 10.1007/s12687-024-00704-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding attitudes towards genetic exceptionalism and confidentiality is important in guiding policies regarding special protections for genetic/genomic information stored in electronic health records (EHR). The goals of this study were to determine biobank participants' attitudes towards genetic exceptionalism and confidentiality and whether those attitudes are related to their preference for return of genetic results. An online questionnaire was distributed to patients with an EHR and email address who had previously enrolled in the BioMe Biobank program. Most participants responded with similar levels of concern in scenarios involving the use of genetic information and other types of health information, suggesting that participants want similar protections for genetic data as other types of sensitive health information, particularly mental health and family history records. Of the 829 respondents, the majority had genetic exceptionalist views when directly asked, even though their concerns about confidentiality were similar for their genetic information and other health information. There were no differences in genetic exceptionalist views between those who had a documented preference to have genetic results returned and those who did not. Notably, for many participants, their recall of preference did not align with their documented preference. The majority of biobank participants were most anxious about the loss of confidentiality for genetic, mental health, and family history information, indicating that certain types of health information are considered more "sensitive" than others. These findings suggest the importance of assuring people participating in biobank research that the confidentiality of their "sensitive" health information is secured.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Dortenzio
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Roberts Individualized Medical Genetics Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Rosamond Rhodes
- Department of Medical Education, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amanda Merkelson
- The Charles Bronfman Institute for Personalized Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hetanshi Naik
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, 483 Quarry Road, 450E, Stanford, CA, 94304, USA.
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Huebner H, Ruebner M, Kurbacher C, Hadji P, Hartkopf AD, Lux MP, Huober J, Uhrig S, Taran FA, Overkamp F, Tesch H, Häberle L, Lüftner D, Wallwiener M, Müller V, Beckmann MW, Hein A, Belleville E, Untch M, Janni W, Fehm TN, Kolberg HC, Wallwiener D, Brucker SY, Schneeweiss A, Ettl J, Fasching PA, Michel LL. Return of individual genomic research results within the PRAEGNANT multicenter registry study. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2023; 197:355-368. [PMID: 36409394 PMCID: PMC9822879 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-022-06795-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The PRAEGNANT study is a registry study for metastatic breast cancer patients, focusing on biomarker detection. Recently, within this study, genetic alterations in 37 breast cancer predisposition genes were analyzed and genetic findings were detected for 396 participants. The aim of this project was to return genetic results to the physicians and to analyze actions taken (e.g., disclosure of results to patients, validation of results, clinical impact, and impact on the patient's quality of life) using a questionnaire. METHODS 235 questionnaires were sent out to the study centers, with each questionnaire representing one patient with a genetic finding. The questionnaire consisted of twelve questions in the German language, referring to the disclosure of results, validation of test results, and their impact on treatment decisions and on the patient's quality of life. RESULTS 135 (57.5%) questionnaires were completed. Of these, 46 (34.1%) stated that results were returned to the patients. In 80.0% (N = 36) of cases where results were returned, the patient had not been aware of the finding previously. For 27 patients (64.3%), genetic findings had not been validated beforehand. All validation procedures (N = 15) were covered by the patients' health insurance. For 11 (25.0%) patients, physicians reported that the research results influenced current or future decision-making on treatment, and for 37.8% (N = 17) the results influenced whether family members will be genetically tested. CONCLUSION This study provides novel insights into the return of research results and into clinical and personal benefits of disclosure of genetic findings within a German registry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Huebner
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias Ruebner
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Kurbacher
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medizinisches Zentrum Bonn Friedensplatz, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peyman Hadji
- Frankfurt Center for Bone Health, 60313 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Andreas D. Hartkopf
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Michael P. Lux
- Klinik Für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe Frauenklinik St. Louise, St. Josefs-Krankenhaus, Salzkotten, Kooperatives Brustzentrum Paderborn, Paderborn, Germany
| | - Jens Huober
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Sabrina Uhrig
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Florin-Andrei Taran
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Hans Tesch
- Oncology Practice at Bethanien Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Lothar Häberle
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany ,Biostatistics Unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Diana Lüftner
- Immanuel Hospital Märkische Schweiz, Buckow, Germany ,Immanuel Campus Rüdersdorf/Medical University of Brandenburg, Brandenburg, Germany
| | - Markus Wallwiener
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Volkmar Müller
- Department of Gynecology, Hamburg-Eppendorf University Medical Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Matthias W. Beckmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alexander Hein
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Michael Untch
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Helios Clinics Berlin Buch, Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Janni
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tanja N. Fehm
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Diethelm Wallwiener
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sara Y. Brucker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Schneeweiss
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johannes Ettl
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter A. Fasching
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Comprehensive Cancer Center Erlangen-EMN, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Laura L. Michel
- National Center for Tumor Diseases, University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
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Inkeroinen S, Virtanen H, Stolt M, Leino-Kilpi H. Patients' right to know: A scoping review. J Clin Nurs 2022. [PMID: 36550593 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To analyse research-based evidence about patients' right to know from their own perspective to promote ethically high-quality nursing and to identify future research areas. BACKGROUND Patients' right to know is a fundamental right. Although of topical research interest, the current state of scientific evidence on patients' right to know has not been reviewed. DESIGN A scoping review according to the methodological framework by Arksey & O'Malley and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. METHODS In June 2022, a literature search was conducted in the Ovid Medline, CINAHL and Cochrane Library databases. The inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed, empirical studies on the right to know with samples comprising adult patients. Data were analysed with inductive content analysis, and methodological quality was assessed with Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS Out of 2658 identified reports, 12 were selected for analysis. Based on the results, the research on patients' right to know can be classified into two main content categories: (1) expectations of the right and (2) realisation of the right. In the quality assessment, most of the reports did not meet all the quality criteria, the most common deficits being related to instrumentation and risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS Research-based evidence on patients' right to know provided a general insight into expectations and realisation of the right to know and not to know. The results indicate a need for continued efforts for novel approaches with high-quality methodological choices in future studies. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Nurses make constantly ethical decisions: The findings of this study can be useful for their decision-making and understanding of the patient's perspective on knowledge issues, and therefore, support ethically high-quality patient education. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION No direct patient or public contribution to the review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saija Inkeroinen
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Heli Virtanen
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Minna Stolt
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Helena Leino-Kilpi
- Department of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland
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Butler T, Brown J, Jacobson PA, Stenehjem D. Perceptions of pharmacogenetic exceptionalism and the implications for clinical management within an electronic health record. Clin Transl Sci 2022; 15:2265-2274. [PMID: 35833242 PMCID: PMC9468565 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic exceptionalism refers to a concept that genetic information is distinct from other health data and therefore should have additional safety guards in place. The objective of this study was to establish perceptions of pharmacogenetic (PGx) exceptionalism and genetic information privacy and management within the electronic health record (EHR) from individuals who attended a PGx-focused conference. A 47-question survey was distributed to 370 attendees at a PGx conference in September 2020. The survey assessed demographics, professional characteristics, perceptions of PGx exceptionalism, knowledge of genetic laws and regulations, and EHR management of PGx information. Of the 370 participants invited to take the survey, 30% (n = 110) responded. Most respondents were pharmacists with postgraduate training (76.2%, n = 48). When asked whether PGx information was exceptional, 44% of respondents agreed while 32% disagreed. Agreement with PGx exceptionalism was associated most with respondents' lack of familiarity or knowledge with PGx. Over two-thirds (67%) felt that all members of the healthcare team should be able to access their patients' PGx information without restriction in the EHR. This study identified a lack of unanimity in the perception of PGx exceptionalism and the management of PGx information within the EHR across attendees of a PGx conference. Describing the perception of accessibility of PGx information within the EHR is important to ascertain for designing privacy-related technology, institutional management policies, and legal regulations as this area in genetics is increasingly being implemented into clinical care and clinical standards of care need to be established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiana Butler
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of PharmacyUniversity of MinnesotaDuluthMinnesotaUSA
| | - Jacob Brown
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of PharmacyUniversity of MinnesotaDuluthMinnesotaUSA
| | - Pamala A. Jacobson
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, College of PharmacyUniversity of MinnesotaDuluthMinnesotaUSA
| | - David Stenehjem
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of PharmacyUniversity of MinnesotaDuluthMinnesotaUSA
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Ursin F, Timmermann C, Steger F. Ethical Implications of Alzheimer's Disease Prediction in Asymptomatic Individuals through Artificial Intelligence. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11030440. [PMID: 33806501 PMCID: PMC7998766 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11030440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Biomarker-based predictive tests for subjectively asymptomatic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are utilized in research today. Novel applications of artificial intelligence (AI) promise to predict the onset of AD several years in advance without determining biomarker thresholds. Until now, little attention has been paid to the new ethical challenges that AI brings to the early diagnosis in asymptomatic individuals, beyond contributing to research purposes, when we still lack adequate treatment. The aim of this paper is to explore the ethical arguments put forward for AI aided AD prediction in subjectively asymptomatic individuals and their ethical implications. The ethical assessment is based on a systematic literature search. Thematic analysis was conducted inductively of 18 included publications. The ethical framework includes the principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Reasons for offering predictive tests to asymptomatic individuals are the right to know, a positive balance of the risk-benefit assessment, and the opportunity for future planning. Reasons against are the lack of disease modifying treatment, the accuracy and explicability of AI aided prediction, the right not to know, and threats to social rights. We conclude that there are serious ethical concerns in offering early diagnosis to asymptomatic individuals and the issues raised by the application of AI add to the already known issues. Nevertheless, pre-symptomatic testing should only be offered on request to avoid inflicted harm. We recommend developing training for physicians in communicating AI aided prediction.
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