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Cardiff K, Ecker LA, Austin J. Psychiatrists' perceptions of and reactions to a simulated psychiatric genetic counseling session. Am J Med Genet A 2024; 194:288-300. [PMID: 37822058 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric genetic counseling (pGC) has been demonstrated to have meaningful positive outcomes for people with psychiatric conditions and their families. However, it is not widely accessed, and clinical genetics services tend to receive few referrals for these indications. Little research has evaluated psychiatrists' perceptions of and experience with interfacing with pGC. Therefore, we invited Ontario-based psychiatrists to participate in a study in which they first watched a simulated pGC session (representative of typical practice: the patient had depression with no exceptionally dense family history of psychiatric conditions, no genetic testing is provided, and no family-based risk assessment is performed), then completed zoom-based qualitative semi-structured interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and checked for accuracy. Using interpretive description to analyze interviews with 12 psychiatrists (data collection was stopped at this point, as theoretical sufficiency was achieved), we generated two theoretical models: the first described the decision-making pathway psychiatrists currently follow when determining whether and how to address genetics with a patient; the second described psychiatrists' ideas for integrating pGC into care models for the future. Our data shed light on how to facilitate the delivery of pGC for people with psychiatric conditions and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharine Cardiff
- Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York, USA
| | - Lindsey Alico Ecker
- Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics, Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, New York, USA
| | - Jehannine Austin
- Departments of Psychiatry and Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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2
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Smith WR, Appelbaum PS, Lebowitz MS, Gülöksüz S, Calkins ME, Kohler CG, Gur RE, Barzilay R. The Ethics of Risk Prediction for Psychosis and Suicide Attempt in Youth Mental Health. J Pediatr 2023; 263:113583. [PMID: 37353146 PMCID: PMC10828819 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2023.113583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify potential clinical utility of polygenic risk scores (PRS) and exposomic risk scores (ERS) for psychosis and suicide attempt in youth and assess the ethical implications of these tools. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a narrative literature review of emerging findings on PRS and ERS for suicide and psychosis as well as a literature review on the ethics of PRS. We discuss the ethical implications of the emerging findings for the clinical potential of PRS and ERS. RESULTS Emerging evidence suggests that PRS and ERS may offer clinical utility in the relatively near future but that this utility will be limited to specific, narrow clinical questions, in contrast to the suggestion that population-level screening will have sweeping impact. Combining PRS and ERS might optimize prediction. This clinical utility would change the risk-benefit balance of PRS, and further empirical assessment of proposed risks would be necessary. Some concerns for PRS, such as those about counseling, privacy, and inequities, apply to ERS. ERS raise distinct ethical challenges as well, including some that involve informed consent and direct-to-consumer advertising. Both raise questions about the ethics of machine-learning/artificial intelligence approaches. CONCLUSIONS Predictive analytics using PRS and ERS may soon play a role in youth mental health settings. Our findings help educate clinicians about potential capabilities, limitations, and ethical implications of these tools. We suggest that a broader discussion with the public is needed to avoid overenthusiasm and determine regulations and guidelines for use of predictive scores.
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Affiliation(s)
- William R Smith
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
| | - Paul S Appelbaum
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY
| | - Matthew S Lebowitz
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Sinan Gülöksüz
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Monica E Calkins
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Christian G Kohler
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Raquel E Gur
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Lifespan Brain Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Ran Barzilay
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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3
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Saura P, García-Virumbrales J, Carrasco JP, Pérez-Carasol M, Colomer L, Camacho-Rubio J, Zorilla I, Vilella E. Spanish mental health residents' perspectives about residency education on the genetics of psychiatric disorders: A cross-sectional survey. Clin Genet 2023; 104:427-433. [PMID: 37329267 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite compelling evidence that some patients with a psychiatric diagnosis could benefit from genetic assessment, genetic testing for psychiatric patients is underutilized. Few studies have reported psychiatric genetics training for mental health specialists, and such research is especially lacking in Spain. We aimed to gather the opinions of Spanish mental health residents, including resident intern nurses (RINs), doctors (RIDs) and psychologists (RIPs). A short survey was prepared by an expert team and distributed to all mental health residency centers in Spain during the first semester of 2021. Of the 2028 residents, 18% responded. Participants were mainly females (71%), in their first year of residency (37%) and within the 27-31-year age range. While participants received little theoretical (13.4%) and practical (4.6%) training on average, RIDs had the most affirmative responses. Notably, RINs and RIDs were interested in genetics during residency (>40%) and strongly believed (85.0%) that genetics training using both theoretical and practical methodologies should be incorporated into residency training. However, RIPs were less interested (20%), and only 60% believed that genetics training should be incorporated. Spanish mental health residents, although interested in genetics in psychiatry, receive little training on this topic. They strongly believe that genetics training using theoretical and practical methodologies should be incorporated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Saura
- Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata, Reus, Spain
| | | | | | - Miguel Pérez-Carasol
- Psychiatry Department, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Araba University Hospital, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Lluc Colomer
- Unitat de Trastorns Bipolars i Depressius, Servei de Psiquiatria i Psicología, Institut Clínic de Neurociències (ICNs), Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Camacho-Rubio
- Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Iñaki Zorilla
- Psychiatry Department, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Araba University Hospital, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Mental Health and Childhood Research Group, Bioaraba, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Department of Neurosciences, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisabet Vilella
- Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata, Reus, Spain
- Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV)-CERCA, Reus, Spain
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
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4
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Pinzón-Espinosa J, van der Horst M, Zinkstok J, Austin J, Aalfs C, Batalla A, Sullivan P, Vorstman J, Luykx JJ. Barriers to genetic testing in clinical psychiatry and ways to overcome them: from clinicians' attitudes to sociocultural differences between patients across the globe. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:442. [PMID: 36220808 PMCID: PMC9553897 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-02203-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic testing has evolved rapidly over recent years and new developments have the potential to provide insights that could improve the ability to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. Information obtained through genetic testing has proven useful in other specialties, such as cardiology and oncology. Nonetheless, a range of barriers impedes techniques, such as whole-exome or whole-genome sequencing, pharmacogenomics, and polygenic risk scoring, from being implemented in psychiatric practice. These barriers may be procedural (e.g., limitations in extrapolating results to the individual level), economic (e.g., perceived relatively elevated costs precluding insurance coverage), or related to clinicians' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (e.g., perceived unfavorable cost-effectiveness, insufficient understanding of probability statistics, and concerns regarding genetic counseling). Additionally, several ethical concerns may arise (e.g., increased stigma and discrimination through exclusion from health insurance). Here, we provide an overview of potential barriers for the implementation of genetic testing in psychiatry, as well as an in-depth discussion of strategies to address these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justo Pinzón-Espinosa
- Sant Pau Mental Health Group, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IBB-Sant Pau), Hospital de la Sant Creu i Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Clinical Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Panama, Panama City, Panama
- Department of Mental Health, Parc Tauli University Hospital, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Tauli (I3PT), Sabadell, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marte van der Horst
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Outpatient Second Opinion Clinic, GGNet Mental Health, Warnsveld, The Netherlands
| | - Janneke Zinkstok
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jehannine Austin
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Medical Genetics, Genetic Counselling Training Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Cora Aalfs
- Department of Clinical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Batalla
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Patrick Sullivan
- Center for Psychiatric Genomics, Department of Genetics and Psychiatric, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jacob Vorstman
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- The Centre for Applied Genomics, Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jurjen J Luykx
- Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
- Outpatient Second Opinion Clinic, GGNet Mental Health, Warnsveld, The Netherlands.
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Richter LD, Morley TJ, Hooker GW, Peay HL, Cox NJ, Ruderfer DM. Leveraging electronic health records to inform genetic counseling practice surrounding psychiatric disorders. J Genet Couns 2022; 31:1008-1015. [PMID: 35191121 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1565] [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: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Since nearly one-fifth of US adults have a psychiatric disorder, genetic counselors (GCs) will see many patients with these indications. However, GCs' reports of inadequate preparation and low confidence in providing care for patients with psychiatric disorders can limit their ability to meet patient's needs. How frequently psychiatric disorders present in GC sessions is currently unclear. Here, we used deidentified electronic health records (EHR) to estimate the prevalence of 16 psychiatric disorders. In 7,155 GC patients, 34% had a diagnostic code associated with a psychiatric disorder; 23% with anxiety/phobic disorders; 21% with mood disorder/depression; 5% with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); and 1% with psychotic disorders. Compared to 415,709 demographically matched controls, GC patients showed a significantly higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders (GC prevalence: 34%, matched prevalence: 30%, p-value < 0.0001) driven predominantly by anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and ADHD. Within GC specialties (prenatal: n = 2,674, cancer: n = 1,474, pediatric: n = 465), only pediatric GC patients showed a significant increase in psychiatric disorder prevalence overall (pediatric GC prevalence: 28%, matched prevalence: 13%, p-value < 0.0001). However, significant evidence of increased prevalence existed for generalized anxiety disorder (prenatal GC prevalence 6.4%, matched prevalence: 4.9%, p-value < 0.0001), anxiety disorders (cancer GC prevalence: 26%, matched prevalence: 21%, p-value < 0.0001 and pediatric GC prevalence: 12%, matched prevalence: 5.5%), and ADHD (pediatric GC prevalence: 18%, matched prevalence: 7.9%, p-value < 0.0001). These results highlight the need for additional guidance around care for patients with psychiatric disorders and the value of EHR-based research in genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas D Richter
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Theodore J Morley
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Gillian W Hooker
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Holly L Peay
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Nancy J Cox
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Douglas M Ruderfer
- Division of Genetic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Rowlatt AE, McAllister M, Cuthbert A. Attitudes toward offering genetic counseling for psychiatric conditions among genetics healthcare practitioners in the United Kingdom: A qualitative study. J Genet Couns 2021; 31:279-290. [PMID: 34363721 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric conditions affect a large proportion of the population. High heritability estimates have been reported for commonly diagnosed conditions, suggesting both environmental factors and genetic variation significantly contribute to the chance of psychiatric outcomes. Despite growing interest in the provision and receipt of genetic counseling services for these conditions, such specialized interventions are not routinely available in most healthcare systems, including in the United Kingdom (UK). This study examined the attitudes of fourteen National Health Service employed genetic counselors and clinical geneticists, from seven regional genetic centers, toward offering psychiatric genetic counseling (PGC) in the UK. A qualitative methodology was adopted and individual semi-structured interviews were conducted either by telephone or face-to-face, audio recorded, transcribed in full and analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants' attitudes were organized under three themes: "Demand," "Readiness to Provide Support," and "Patient Experience." Participants cited key informational and resource needs which included increased workforce capacity, access to further psychological support for patients and more knowledge about the following: specific genes involved, available genetic testing, recurrence/occurrence risk figures, clinical manifestations, diagnostic criteria, patient concerns associated with the impact of psychiatric conditions and interpersonal skills. While some participants appreciated the value of PGC, some reported apprehension and raised concerns around a lack of available genetic testing, the perceived utility of current management options, and a potential negative psychological impact of PGC. This study identified important barriers to the delivery of PGC in the UK by genetics healthcare practitioners. Our findings highlight the importance of a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to delivering this intervention and the need for additional training. Further research is required to better understand demand for, nature of, and barriers to provision of PGC in the UK, particularly in terms of genetic counselors' perceptions of their role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Rowlatt
- Centre for Medical Education, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.,MRC Institute for Genetics and Molecular Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Andrew Cuthbert
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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Pasca C, Carroll R, Cragun RT, Cragun DL. Knowledge and perceptions of the genetic counseling profession among a national cross-sectional sample of U.S. adults. J Genet Couns 2021; 31:206-217. [PMID: 34288232 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Awareness of the genetic counseling (GC) profession may influence access to genetic services, yet awareness among the U.S. population is unknown. A survey of U.S. adults was conducted using age- and sex-based quotas. Participants were asked if they had heard of the GC profession and to describe what genetic counselors (GCs) do. After reading a brief description of what GCs do, participants were asked the likelihood they would request to see a genetic counselor if they were concerned about a genetic condition. We used descriptive statistics to characterize the population, logistic regression to determine factors related to awareness of the GC profession, and ordinary least squares regression to identify which factors correlated with likelihood of seeking GC services. Thematic analysis was used to code open-ended responses. Among the final sample of 543, the majority were White individuals (79.7%) with an average age of 46.5 and median income between $60,000 and $69,999. Although 20% indicated they had heard of the GC profession, further analysis of the qualitative follow-up question suggested only 13.4% understood the role of GCs (CI 10.6%-16.3%). Factors positively and significantly correlated with knowledge of the GC profession included identifying as White or female and having higher educational attainment or higher science knowledge after controlling for income, age, and political views. Approximately 45% of respondents indicated they would likely or very likely seek GC if concerned about a genetic condition. Biological sex, age, religious affiliation, science knowledge, and awareness of the GC profession were significantly correlated with likelihood of seeking GC services while controlling for race, income, educational attainment, and political views. Curiosity/interest, the perception of benefits, and trust in GCs were all major themes that emerged to explain reasons for seeking an appointment with GCs. Lack of awareness, lack of perceived benefit, and lack of trust in GCs or greater trust in other healthcare providers were reasons for not wanting a GC appointment. Despite the 50-year existence of the GC profession, awareness remains low and negative attitudes exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Pasca
- Department of Sociology, University of Tampa, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Riley Carroll
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Ryan T Cragun
- Department of Sociology, University of Tampa, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Deborah L Cragun
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
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Martorell L, Sanfeliu A, Blázquez A, Lojo E, Cortés MJ, de Pablo J, Vilella E. Genetics and genetic counseling in psychiatry: Results from an opinion survey of professionals and users. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2019; 7:e830. [PMID: 31254460 PMCID: PMC6687663 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The heritability of several psychiatric disorders is high, and specific at‐risk variants have been identified. Therefore, genetic counseling and genetic testing can be prescribed to some psychiatric patients, but these services are not standardized for most of the population. The aims of the study were to gather opinions from mental health professionals and users regarding (a) the genetics of psychiatric disorders and (b) the usefulness of a genetic counseling unit in psychiatry. Methods The survey was conducted in the province of Tarragona (Spain), and we analyzed 152 valid questionnaires from professionals and 959 from users. Results Sixty‐one percent of professionals strongly believed that psychiatric disorders have a genetic basis, and 59% rated a genetic counseling unit in psychiatry as very or extremely useful. However, only a few professionals reported that patients asked them about the genetics of their diseases (12%) or the possibility of transmitting the disease to offspring (19%). Forty‐seven percent of users strongly believed that psychiatric disorders have a genetic basis, 30% responded that they talked with their families about the genetics of their diseases, and 43% were worried about transmitting the disease to offspring; however, only 14% reported that their psychiatrist had talked to them about this topic. Remarkably, 80% of users would consider a genetic counseling unit very or extremely useful. Conclusions The present study showed that mental health professionals were more aware of the genetic basis of psychiatric disorders than users, and both considered the implementation of a genetic counseling service very useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourdes Martorell
- Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Annabel Sanfeliu
- Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Ana Blázquez
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology, Clinic Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elia Lojo
- Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain
| | - Maria José Cortés
- Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Joan de Pablo
- Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital. UAB, Badalona, Spain
| | - Elisabet Vilella
- Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata, IISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Madrid, Spain
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