The Awareness of Rare Diseases Among Medical Students and Practicing Physicians in the Republic of Kazakhstan. An Exploratory Study

Walk a mile in my shoes: perspectives towards sharing of health and experience data among individuals living with sickle cell disorder

Background

Advancements in digital health technologies (DHTs) mean people are increasingly recording and managing personal health data. As observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, sharing of such data may provide unrivalled opportunities in advancing our understanding of conditions otherwise poorly understood, including rare conditions.

Methods

A semi-structured focus group (n=25) explored perspectives and experiences of sharing health data among those with a group of rare haematological conditions, sickle cell disorder (SCD). The focus group explored (I) what 'feeling well' looks like; (II) how this could be monitored using DHTs; (III) which data healthcare professionals (HCPs) should pay greater attention to and; (IV) types of data willing to be shared, with whom, and under which conditions. Key themes were further assessed via an online survey (n=50).

Results

Patient-relevant measures of condition-management focused on "everything else that comes with" SCD, suggesting HCPs did not pay sufficient attention to day-to-day symptom variability. This was juxtaposed against the "fixed and one-off" electronic health record (EHR), collecting pre-specified data at pre-determined snapshots of time, not considered reflective of outcomes associated with "feeling well" day-to-day. Forty-four-point-seven percent of respondents had previously shared health data. Most were willing to share data concerning symptoms and health service utilisation, but were less willing to share genomic and EHR data. Sixty-one-point-seven percent believed HCPs did not pay enough attention to daily fluctuations in mental and physical health. Financial benefits (74.5%), trust in organisations seeking data (72.3%), and knowing how data will be used (61.7%) were key facilitators of data sharing. Seventy-one percent, 70% and 65.2% had not previously shared health data with the pharmaceutical industry, charitable organisations and digital health interventions respectively, but were open to doing so in the future.

Conclusions

Those living with the rare condition SCD were supportive of collecting and sharing data to foster research and improve understanding and outcomes. However, specific requirements were identified to respect privacy and informational needs regarding future use of data. DHTs can be a valuable tool in improving understanding of the day-to-day impact of health conditions, but understanding patient needs is critical in ensuring involvement in the process, as not all data types are considered of equal value, benefit, or risk.

Ultra-rare ultra-care: Assessing the impact of caring for children with ultra rare diseases

BACKGROUND

We sought to assesses the impact of caring for children with ultra rare diseases (URDs) on family carers and to analyse the way these experiences differ among the caregivers of children diagnosed through prenatal or newborn screening, and those with symptom-based diagnosis.

METHODS

A total of 200 caregivers of 219 URDs children completed an on-line survey regarding the challenges and experiences of caregivers of URDs children.

RESULTS

The majority of URD caregivers felt burdened by their children's health problems, emotional and behavioural changes. 46.5% reported feelings of care overload, 43% coped poorly with the stress, and many experienced a variety of feelings of distress towards the role of caregiver. While most caregivers struggled with the diagnostic odyssey and were dissatisfied with the healthcare services for URD children, caregivers of children diagnosed through prenatal or newborn screening were significantly less burdened than the parents of children with symptom-based diagnoses.

CONCLUSION

Although caregivers of URDs children experience physical and emotional strain, they are often neglected by the healthcare system. A bio-psychosocial approach to URDs should therefore also include family caregivers' physical and psychosocial needs. Apart from financial and emotional support, enhancing access to genetic testing and newborn screening should be prioritised.

Knowledge and Awareness of Rare Diseases Among Healthcare Professionals in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Aim  Recent studies highlighted that lack of knowledge on rare diseases is a problem that requires attention. This study aims to assess healthcare professionals' general awareness and knowledge of rare diseases in a tertiary hospital in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Method  The study employed a cross-sectional design, utilizing a survey questionnaire derived from the most recent literature. The survey encompassed socio-demographic factors and quiz-based questions that were previously created by Domaradzi and Walkowiak to assess knowledge and awareness of rare diseases. To ensure convenience and accessibility, the survey was made available in both Arabic and English languages. Results  Of a total of 333 responses, 25.2% were physicians, 53.8% were nurses, and 21.0% were allied health personnel. The majority of participants (87.4%) were aware of and had heard the term "rare diseases" prior to this survey. Participants were able to recognize what age group is frequently affected by rare diseases (p=0.023) and what the common cause of rare diseases worldwide is (p<0.001). Overall scores showed that only four participants answered all questions correctly, testing their knowledge of rare diseases. There was a weak correlation between self-declared knowledge and the overall score achieved (r=0.190; p<0.001), which indicates that the population's self-declared knowledge did not portray their actual knowledge of rare diseases.  Conclusion  This study highlights the need for improved knowledge of rare diseases among healthcare professionals, which aligns with the global knowledge landscape. To bridge the knowledge gap, we recommend action plans to ensure that healthcare professionals have rich knowledge of rare diseases and further improve patient care. Additionally, enhancing advocacy efforts is crucial to ensure optimal local and global patient care services.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice About the Process of Genetic Counselling Among Clinicians

Introduction Clinicians agree with the fact that the impact of genetics in the field of medicine is humongous. They have to cope with the rapid advances in the field of clinical genetics and offer the best treatment to the patients at the right time. Disease with an underlying genetic cause not only involves the patient but also the family and the community. In the process of genetic counseling, the patient and the family are educated about the genetic basis of the disorder. This helps the patient and the family to make a well-informed decision. It also helps to reduce the genetic burden of the disease in the community over a period of time. In this regard, knowledge, attitude, and practice about the process of genetic counseling among clinicians is imperative. Methods A structured pre-validated questionnaire was distributed amongst 60 clinicians from different departments. Their responses were assessed based on the Likert scale. The data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics and expressed in percentages.  Results In the present study, nearly 90% of the clinicians felt that it was important to gather a multi-generational family history of the patient and advise them about inheritance patterns, recurrence risk, and genetic tests for a disorder with an underlying genetic cause. The need to educate the family members regarding the importance of genetic tests and referral to appropriate support groups if they test positive for a genetic disorder receive a positive response. Mostly the participants agreed that parents of children and couples at risk of having a child affected by a genetic disease should undergo genetic counseling. Conclusion Clinicians may not always be aware of the underlying genetic cause and genetic tests available or may face a paucity of time to counsel the patient and the family. Genetic counseling needs to be done at length in multiple sessions, and it is essential to reduce the burden of genetic disorders in society.

What is the awareness of rare diseases among medical students? A survey in Bulgaria

BACKGROUND

Rare diseases (RDs) are life-threatening or chronically debilitating and offer a high level of complexity. The aim of this study is to assess medical students' knowledge and awareness of RDs as well as their perceptions of potential measures to boost training in RDs. The cross-sectional survey was conducted at the Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, in 2019. The questionnaire contained 12 questions, divided into three main categories: (1) sociodemographic profile; (2) knowledge and awareness of RDs; and (3) attitudes about potential measures to improve training in RDs.

RESULTS

A total of 1189 medical students completed the survey with an overall response rate of 56.4%. Only 13% of participants knew the correct definition of RDs, and a low overall level of awareness was found with regard to orphan drugs (20.3%) and genetic counselling and testing (0.5%). Respondents believed that society as a whole was largely unaware of RDs as a major public health issue. Students suggested elective courses, and invited lectures by RDs experts, and participation in research projects as the most preferred measures to improve undergraduate training.

CONCLUSIONS

It is crucial to address the gaps in medical students' knowledge and awareness of RDs. University curricula should consider incorporating different RDs training modalities. It is essential to encourage various stakeholders to play a more proactive role and to collaborate in these activities. Involvement of patient organisations and advocacy groups might enhance students' knowledge of the challenges faced by people with RDs. Not least, the media should be partners in this important endeavour as well.

Knowledge level of medical students and physicians about rare diseases in Lima, Peru

Rare diseases (RDs) affect up to 8% of the world's population, and unfortunately, health professionals have a low level of knowledge regarding the impacts of RDs on the social, psychological, and economic spheres of the patients and their families; hence, RD management is inadequate, consistently empirical, and precarious. The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge level of the medical students from a non-state university and physicians from Lima, Peru of RDs through a virtual survey for an analytical cross-sectional study. A total of 338 medical students and 382 physicians were surveyed. Results showed that several of the respondents (68.1% of students and 48.7% of physicians) had heard of the term "rare disease", but only a few stated that they had received any kind of training specific to it. Of the physicians, 46.6% considered that there should be a course about RDs in medical curricula, and more than 60% considered RDs a public health problem. Most respondents prioritized the planning of a higher budget for common diseases and believe it is convenient to allocate a specific fund for RDs. More than half of the participants had a very poor knowledge level. Due to students and physicians' low level of general knowledge of RDs, it is important to raise awareness and improve their education about these pathologies because this will have beneficial effects for RD patient care.

Iranian future healthcare professionals' knowledge and opinions about rare diseases: cross-sectional study

Background

Rare diseases are a new global health priority, requiring evidence-based estimates of the global prevalence of diseases to inform public policymakers and provide a serious challenge to the healthcare system that must not be ignored. The purpose of this study is to investigate Iranian future healthcare professionals' knowledge and opinions about rare diseases.

Results

A total of 6838 students responded to the questionnaire. Nursing and medical students had the highest participation. Almost 85% of participants rated their knowledge about rare diseases as poor or insufficient. While nearly 70 percent of participants took courses about rare diseases at university. Finally, 72.7% of future healthcare professionals did not feel ready to take care of a patient with a rare disease.

Conclusion

The present study has indicated a gap in Iranian medical students’ knowledge of rare diseases. The researchers believe that health science policymakers should make a joint effort to improve knowledge about rare diseases. Including courses with regard to rare diseases would be of benefit to future healthcare professionals.

Iranian future healthcare professionals' knowledge and opinions about rare diseases: cross-sectional study

Background

Rare diseases are a new global health priority, requiring evidence-based estimates of the global prevalence of diseases to inform public policymakers and provide a serious challenge to the healthcare system that must not be ignored. The purpose of this study is to investigate Iranian future healthcare professionals' knowledge and opinions about rare diseases.

Results

A total of 6838 students responded to the questionnaire. Nursing and medical students had the highest participation. Almost 85% of participants rated their knowledge about rare diseases as poor or insufficient. While nearly 70 percent of participants took courses about rare diseases at university. Finally, 72.7% of future healthcare professionals did not feel ready to take care of a patient with a rare disease.

Conclusion

The present study has indicated a gap in Iranian medical students’ knowledge of rare diseases. The researchers believe that health science policymakers should make a joint effort to improve knowledge about rare diseases. Including courses with regard to rare diseases would be of benefit to future healthcare professionals.