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Rahma AT, Elbarazi I, Ali BR, Patrinos GP, Ahmed LA, Elsheik M, Al-Maskari F. Development of the pharmacogenomics and genomics literacy framework for pharmacists. Hum Genomics 2021; 15:62. [PMID: 34656176 PMCID: PMC8520199 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-021-00361-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pharmacists play a unique role in integrating genomic medicine and pharmacogenomics into the clinical practice and to translate pharmacogenomics from bench to bedside. However, the literature suggests that the knowledge gap in pharmacogenomics is a major challenge; therefore, developing pharmacists' skills and literacy to achieve this anticipated role is highly important. We aim to conceptualize a personalized literacy framework for the adoption of genomic medicine and pharmacogenomics by pharmacists in the United Arab Emirates with possible regional and global relevance. RESULTS A qualitative approach using focus groups was used to design and to guide the development of a pharmacogenomics literacy framework. The Health Literacy Skills framework was used as a guide to conceptualize the pharmacogenomics literacy for pharmacists. The framework included six major components with specific suggested factors to improve pharmacists' pharmacogenomics literacy. Major components include individual inputs, demand, skills, knowledge, attitude and sociocultural factors. CONCLUSION This framework confirms a holistic bottom-up approach toward the implementation of pharmacogenomics. Personalized medicine entails personalized efforts and frameworks. Similar framework can be created for other healthcare providers, patients and stakeholders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azhar T Rahma
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Iffat Elbarazi
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Bassam R Ali
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Science, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - George P Patrinos
- Department of Genetics and Genomics, College of Medicine and Health Science, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE.,Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, 26504, Patras, Greece
| | - Luai A Ahmed
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Mahanna Elsheik
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Fatma Al-Maskari
- Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE. .,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O. Box 17666, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
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Patrinos GP, Mitropoulou C. Horizon Scanning: Teaching Genomics and Personalized Medicine in the Digital Age. OMICS-A JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE BIOLOGY 2021; 26:101-105. [PMID: 34648717 DOI: 10.1089/omi.2021.0119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Abstract
Digital transformation is currently impacting not only health care but also education curricula for medicine and life sciences. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the deployment of digital technologies such as the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence in diverse fields of biomedicine. Genomics and related fields of inquiry such as pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine have been making important progress over the past decades. However, the genomics knowledge of health care professionals and other stakeholders in society is not commensurate with the current state of progress in these scientific fields. The rise of digital health offers unprecedented opportunities both for health care professionals and the general public to expand their genomics literacy and education. This expert review offers an analysis of the bottlenecks that affect and issues that need to be addressed to catalyze genomics and personalized medicine education in the digital era. In addition, we summarize and critically discuss the various educational and awareness opportunities that presently exist to catalyze the delivery of genomics knowledge in ways closely attuned to the emerging field of digital health.
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Affiliation(s)
- George P Patrinos
- Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Individualized Therapy, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras School of Health Sciences, Patras, Greece.,Department of Pathology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, UAE.,Zayed Center for Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, UAE
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Nagy M, Tsermpini EE, Siamoglou S, Patrinos GP. Evaluating the current level of pharmacists' pharmacogenomics knowledge and its impact on pharmacogenomics implementation. Pharmacogenomics 2020; 21:1179-1189. [PMID: 33118449 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2020-0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The pharmacists' role is potentially vital in the growing field of personalized medicine, and well-defined guidelines and knowledge that support this role need to be established. To address the knowledge gap, over the past two decades, pharmacy schools have started providing pharmacogenomics-related courses, a field that overlaps with pharmacy and personalized medicine. Given the fact that pharmacists lead 50% of the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium implementers' sites, their role can be particularly crucial to move forward the integration of precision medicine in clinical practice. Herein, we aim to identify the educational challenges for pharmacogenomics integration into clinical practice and their impact on pharmacists' knowledge and confidence, in addition to underscoring pharmacists' role in pharmacogenomics as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Nagy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Personalised Medication Management Unit, Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt (57357), Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Stavroula Siamoglou
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - George P Patrinos
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.,Zayed Center of Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, UAE.,Department of Pathology, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, UAE
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Knowledge and Attitudes of Medical and Health Science Students in the United Arab Emirates toward Genomic Medicine and Pharmacogenomics: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Pers Med 2020; 10:jpm10040191. [PMID: 33114420 PMCID: PMC7711592 DOI: 10.3390/jpm10040191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Medical and health science students represent future health professionals, and their perceptions are essential to increasing awareness on genomic medicine and pharmacogenomics. Lack of education is one of the significant barriers that may affect health professional’s ability to interpret and communicate pharmacogenomics information and results to their clients. Our aim was to assess medical and health science students’ knowledge, attitudes and perception for a better genomic medicine and pharmacogenomics practice in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated questionnaire distributed electronically to students recruited using random and snowball sampling methods. A total of 510 students consented and completed the questionnaire between December 2018 and October 2019. The mean knowledge score (SD) for students was 5.4 (±2.7). There were significant differences in the levels of knowledge by the year of study of bachelor’s degree students, the completion status of training or education in pharmacogenomics (PGX) or pharmacogenetics and the completion of an internship or study abroad program (p-values < 0.05. The top two barriers that students identified in the implementation of genomic medicine and pharmacogenomics were lack of training or education (59.7%) and lack of clinical guidelines (58.7%). Concerns regarding confidentiality and discrimination were stated. The majority of medical and health science students had positive attitudes but only had a fair level of knowledge. Stakeholders in the UAE must strive to acquaint their students with up-to-date knowledge of genomic medicine and pharmacogenomics.
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Nagy M, Lynch M, Kamal S, Mohamed S, Hadad A, Abouelnaga S, Aquilante CL. Assessment of healthcare professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and perceived challenges of clinical pharmacogenetic testing in Egypt. Per Med 2020; 17:251-260. [PMID: 32589096 DOI: 10.2217/pme-2019-0163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Aim: We evaluated healthcare practitioners' perspectives regarding clinical pharmacogenetics in Cairo, Egypt. Materials & methods: We administered a paper-based survey to pharmacists and physicians practicing at Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt. The survey assessed practitioners' knowledge, attitudes, and perspectives about pharmacogenetic testing. Results: The study included 184 respondents (67.9% pharmacists; 32.1% physicians. Overall, the pharmacogenetic knowledge was low (mean = 41.7%) but attitudes toward pharmacogenetic testing and its potential clinical application were generally positive. Pharmacists responded more favorably than physicians to statements attributing the responsibility of applying pharmacogenetics in the clinical setting to their profession. However, several challenges were identified; the most common being: lack of pharmacogenetic knowledge and skill, lack of pharmacogenetic testing devices, and limited funding. Conclusion: Future efforts to promote pharmacogenetic implementation should focus on foundational education, practical training, and exploration of potential funding sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Nagy
- Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt, 57357, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Meghan Lynch
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Sherif Kamal
- Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt, 57357, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sarah Mohamed
- Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt, 57357, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Alaa Hadad
- Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt, 57357, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Christina L Aquilante
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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