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Mitchell LA, Jivani K, Young MA, Jacobs C, Willis AM. Systematic review of the uptake and outcomes from returning secondary findings to adult participants in research genomic testing. J Genet Couns 2024. [PMID: 38197527 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1865] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
The increasing use of genomic sequencing in research means secondary findings (SF) is more frequently detected and becoming a more pressing issue for researchers. This is reflected by the recent publication of multiple guidelines on this issue, calling for researchers to have a plan for managing SF prior to commencing their research. A deeper understanding of participants' experiences and outcomes from receiving SF is needed to ensure that the return of SF is conducted ethically and with adequate support. This review focuses on the uptake and outcomes of receiving actionable SF for research participants. This review included studies from January 2010 to January 2023. Databases searched included Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and Scopus. Of the 3903 studies identified, 29 were included in the analysis. The uptake of SF ranged between 20% and 97%, and outcomes were categorized into psychological, clinical, lifestyle and behavioral, and family outcomes. The results indicate there is minimal psychological impact from receiving SF. Almost all participants greatly valued receiving SF. These findings highlight considerations for researchers when returning results, including the importance of involving genetic health professionals in consenting, results return process, and ensuring continuity of care by engaging healthcare providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas A Mitchell
- Clinical Translation and Engagement Platform, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Karishma Jivani
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mary-Anne Young
- Clinical Translation and Engagement Platform, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Chris Jacobs
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amanda M Willis
- Clinical Translation and Engagement Platform, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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2
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Kilbride M, Egleston BL, Chung WK, Olopade O, Maxwell KN, Shah P, Churpek JE, Fleisher L, Terry MB, Fetzer D, Gaieski JB, Bulafka J, Espinal A, Karpink K, Walser S, Singleton D, Palese M, Siljander I, Brandt A, Clark D, Koval C, Wynn J, Long JM, McKenna D, Powers J, Nielsen S, Domchek SM, Nathanson KL, Bradbury AR. Uptake of Genetic Research Results and Patient-Reported Outcomes With Return of Results Incorporating Web-Based Predisclosure Education. J Clin Oncol 2023; 41:4905-4915. [PMID: 37611220 PMCID: PMC10617912 DOI: 10.1200/jco.22.00516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE We developed a web-based education intervention as an alternative to predisclosure education with a genetic counselor (GC) to reduce participant burden and provider costs with return of genetic research results. METHODS Women at three sites who participated in 11 gene discovery research studies were contacted to consider receiving cancer genetic research results. Participants could complete predisclosure education through web education or with a GC. Outcomes included uptake of research results, factors associated with uptake, and patient-reported outcomes. RESULTS Of 819 participants, 178 actively (21.7%) and 167 passively (20.4%) declined return of results; 474 (57.9%) were enrolled. Most (60.3%) received results although this was lower than the 70% uptake we hypothesized. Passive and active decliners were more likely to be Black, to have less education, and to have not received phone follow-up after the invitation letter. Most participants selected web education (88.5%) as an alternative to speaking with a GC, but some did not complete or receive results. Knowledge increased significantly from baseline to other time points with no significant differences between those who received web versus GC education. There were no significant increases in distress between web and GC education. CONCLUSION Interest in web-based predisclosure education for return of genetic research results was high although it did not increase uptake of results. We found no negative patient-reported outcomes with web education, suggesting that it is a viable alternative delivery model for reducing burdens and costs of returning genetic research results. Attention to attrition and lower uptake of results among Black participants and those with less formal education are important areas for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madison Kilbride
- Department of Philosophy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
| | | | - Wendy K. Chung
- Department of Pediatrics and Medicine, Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City, NY
| | | | - Kara N. Maxwell
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Payal Shah
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Linda Fleisher
- Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Mary Beth Terry
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City, NY
| | - Dominique Fetzer
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jill Bennett Gaieski
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jessica Bulafka
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City, NY
| | - Aileen Espinal
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City, NY
| | - Kelsey Karpink
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Sarah Walser
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Davone Singleton
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | | | - Amanda Brandt
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Dana Clark
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Carrie Koval
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York City, NY
| | - Julia Wynn
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York City, NY
| | - Jessica M. Long
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Danielle McKenna
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jacquelyn Powers
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Susan M. Domchek
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Katherine L. Nathanson
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Angela R. Bradbury
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Abramson Cancer Center, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy, The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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Clayton EW, Smith ME, Anderson KC, Chung WK, Connolly JJ, Fullerton SM, McGowan ML, Peterson JF, Prows CA, Sabatello M, Holm IA. Studying the impact of translational genomic research: Lessons from eMERGE. Am J Hum Genet 2023; 110:1021-1033. [PMID: 37343562 PMCID: PMC10357472 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2023.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Two major goals of the Electronic Medical Record and Genomics (eMERGE) Network are to learn how best to return research results to patient/participants and the clinicians who care for them and also to assess the impact of placing these results in clinical care. Yet since its inception, the Network has confronted a host of challenges in achieving these goals, many of which had ethical, legal, or social implications (ELSIs) that required consideration. Here, we share impediments we encountered in recruiting participants, returning results, and assessing their impact, all of which affected our ability to achieve the goals of eMERGE, as well as the steps we took to attempt to address these obstacles. We divide the domains in which we experienced challenges into four broad categories: (1) study design, including recruitment of more diverse groups; (2) consent; (3) returning results to participants and their health care providers (HCPs); and (4) assessment of follow-up care of participants and measuring the impact of research on participants and their families. Since most phases of eMERGE have included children as well as adults, we also address the particular ELSI posed by including pediatric populations in this research. We make specific suggestions for improving translational genomic research to ensure that future projects can effectively return results and assess their impact on patient/participants and providers if the goals of genomic-informed medicine are to be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Wright Clayton
- Center for Biomedical Ethics and Society, Departments of Pediatrics and Health Policy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA.
| | - Maureen E Smith
- Department of Medicine, Center for Genetic Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Katherine C Anderson
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Wendy K Chung
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - John J Connolly
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Stephanie M Fullerton
- Department of Bioethics & Humanities, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Michelle L McGowan
- Biomedical Ethics Research Program, Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA; Department of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Josh F Peterson
- Center for Precision Medicine, Department of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37203, USA
| | - Cynthia A Prows
- Divisions of Human Genetics and Patient Services, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Maya Sabatello
- Center for Precision Medicine & Genomics, Department of Medicine, and Division of Ethics, Department of Medical Humanities & Ethics Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, NY, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ingrid A Holm
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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McCormick CZ, Yu KD, Johns A, Campbell-Salome G, Hallquist MLG, Sturm AC, Buchanan AH. Investigating Psychological Impact after Receiving Genetic Risk Results-A Survey of Participants in a Population Genomic Screening Program. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12121943. [PMID: 36556164 PMCID: PMC9781266 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12121943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Genomic screening programs have potential to benefit individuals who may not be clinically ascertained, but little is known about the psychological impact of receiving genetic results in this setting. The current study sought to further the understanding of individuals’ psychological response to receiving an actionable genetic test result from genomic screening. Telephone surveys were conducted with patient-participants at 6 weeks and 6 months post genetic result disclosure between September 2019 and May 2021 and assessed emotional response to receiving results via the FACToR, PANAS, and decision regret scales. Overall, 354 (29.4%) study participants completed both surveys. Participants reported moderate positive emotions and low levels of negative emotions, uncertainty, privacy concern, and decision regret over time. There were significant decreases in negative emotions (p = 0.0004) and uncertainty (p = 0.0126) between time points on the FACToR scale. “Interested” was the highest scoring discrete emotion (T1 3.6, T2 3.3, scale 0−5) but was significantly lower at 6 months (<0.0001). Coupled with other benefits of genomic screening, these results of modest psychological impact waning over time adds support to clinical utility of population genomic screening programs. However, questions remain regarding how to elicit an emotional response that motivates behavior change without causing psychological harm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alicia Johns
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Geisinger, Danville, PA 17822, USA
| | - Gemme Campbell-Salome
- Department of Genomic Health, Geisinger, Danville, PA 17822, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Geisinger, Danville, PA 17822, USA
| | | | - Amy C. Sturm
- Department of Genomic Health, Geisinger, Danville, PA 17822, USA
- 23andMe, Sunnyvale, CA 94086, USA
| | - Adam H. Buchanan
- Department of Genomic Health, Geisinger, Danville, PA 17822, USA
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Return of individual research results from genomic research: A systematic review of stakeholder perspectives. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258646. [PMID: 34748551 PMCID: PMC8575249 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the plethora of empirical studies conducted to date, debate continues about whether and to what extent results should be returned to participants of genomic research. We aimed to systematically review the empirical literature exploring stakeholders’ perspectives on return of individual research results (IRR) from genomic research. We examined preferences for receiving or willingness to return IRR, and experiences with either receiving or returning them. The systematic searches were conducted across five major databases in August 2018 and repeated in April 2020, and included studies reporting findings from primary research regardless of method (quantitative, qualitative, mixed). Articles that related to the clinical setting were excluded. Our search identified 221 articles that met our search criteria. This included 118 quantitative, 69 qualitative and 34 mixed methods studies. These articles included a total number of 118,874 stakeholders with research participants (85,270/72%) and members of the general public (40,967/35%) being the largest groups represented. The articles spanned at least 22 different countries with most (144/65%) being from the USA. Most (76%) discussed clinical research projects, rather than biobanks. More than half (58%) gauged views that were hypothetical. We found overwhelming evidence of high interest in return of IRR from potential and actual genomic research participants. There is also a general willingness to provide such results by researchers and health professionals, although they tend to adopt a more cautious stance. While all results are desired to some degree, those that have the potential to change clinical management are generally prioritized by all stakeholders. Professional stakeholders appear more willing to return results that are reliable and clinically relevant than those that are less reliable and lack clinical relevance. The lack of evidence for significant enduring psychological harm and the clear benefits to some research participants suggest that researchers should be returning actionable IRRs to participants.
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Vears DF, Minion JT, Roberts SJ, Cummings J, Machirori M, Murtagh MJ. Views on genomic research result delivery methods and informed consent: a review. Per Med 2021; 18:295-310. [PMID: 33822658 DOI: 10.2217/pme-2020-0139] [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] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
There has been little discussion of the way genomic research results should be returned and how to obtain informed consent for this. We systematically searched the empirical literature, identifying 63 articles exploring stakeholder perspectives on processes for obtaining informed consent about return of results and/or result delivery. Participants, patients and members of the public generally felt they should choose which results are returned to them and how, ranging from direct (face-to-face, telephone) to indirect (letters, emails, web-based delivery) communication. Professionals identified inadequacies in result delivery processes in the research context. Our findings have important implications for ensuring participants are supported in deciding which results they wish to receive or, if no choice is offered, preparing them for potential research outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danya F Vears
- Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne, Carlton 3052, Australia.,Biomedical Ethics Research Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville 3052, Australia.,Center for Biomedical Ethics & Law, Department of Public Health & Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium.,Leuven Institute for Human Genetics & Society, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Joel T Minion
- Policy, Ethics & Life Sciences (PEALS) Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Stephanie J Roberts
- Policy, Ethics & Life Sciences (PEALS) Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK
| | - James Cummings
- School of Art, Media & American Studies, University of East Anglia, NR4 7TJ, UK
| | - Mavis Machirori
- School of Social & Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Madeleine J Murtagh
- Policy, Ethics & Life Sciences (PEALS) Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK.,School of Social & Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
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Nestor JG, Fedotov A, Fasel D, Marasa M, Milo-Rasouly H, Wynn J, Chung WK, Gharavi A, Hripcsak G, Bakken S, Sengupta S, Weng C. An electronic health record (EHR) log analysis shows limited clinician engagement with unsolicited genetic test results. JAMIA Open 2021; 4:ooab014. [PMID: 33709066 PMCID: PMC7935499 DOI: 10.1093/jamiaopen/ooab014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
How clinicians utilize medically actionable genomic information, displayed in the electronic health record (EHR), in medical decision-making remains unknown. Participating sites of the Electronic Medical Records and Genomics (eMERGE) Network have invested resources into EHR integration efforts to enable the display of genetic testing data across heterogeneous EHR systems. To assess clinicians’ engagement with unsolicited EHR-integrated genetic test results of eMERGE participants within a large tertiary care academic medical center, we analyzed automatically generated EHR access log data. We found that clinicians viewed only 1% of all the eMERGE genetic test results integrated in the EHR. Using a cluster analysis, we also identified different user traits associated with varying degrees of engagement with the EHR-integrated genomic data. These data contribute important empirical knowledge about clinicians limited and brief engagements with unsolicited EHR-integrated genetic test results of eMERGE participants. Appreciation for user-specific roles provide additional context for why certain users were more or less engaged with the unsolicited results. This study highlights opportunities to use EHR log data as a performance metric to more precisely inform ongoing EHR-integration efforts and decisions about the allocation of informatics resources in genomic research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan G Nestor
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alexander Fedotov
- The Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - David Fasel
- Department of Medicine, Center for Precision Medicine and Genomics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Maddalena Marasa
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Medicine, Center for Precision Medicine and Genomics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Hila Milo-Rasouly
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Medicine, Center for Precision Medicine and Genomics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Julia Wynn
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Wendy K Chung
- Departments of Pediatric and Medicine, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ali Gharavi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.,Department of Medicine, Center for Precision Medicine and Genomics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - George Hripcsak
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Suzanne Bakken
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Soumitra Sengupta
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Chunhua Weng
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
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Meagher KM, Curtis SH, Borucki S, Beck A, Srinivasan T, Cheema A, Sharp RR. Communicating unexpected pharmacogenomic results to biobank contributors: A focus group study. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2021; 104:242-249. [PMID: 32919825 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2020.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The goals of this study were to explore 1) the impact of returning unexpected pharmacogenomic (PGx) results to biobank contributors, and 2) participant views about improving communication. METHODS We conducted a qualitative focus group study with biobank participants (N = 54) who were notified by mail of an individual research result indicating increased risk for adverse events associated with the common cancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). We employed a framework approach for analysis. RESULTS Our results revealed three themes illustrating participants' questions and uncertainty, especially regarding how to share results with health providers and family members, and remember them over time. Participants valued results for themselves and others, and for the future of medicine. Risk perception was framed by health identity. "Toxicity narratives," or familiarity with another's adverse reaction to chemotherapy, increased the sense of importance participants reported. CONCLUSION These focus group results highlight research participant remaining questions and high valuation of PGx results, even when unexpected. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS We identify PGx research participants' needs for clear clinical translation messaging that attends to health identity, pragmatics of sharing information with family members, and patient perceptions of barriers to transferring research results to a clinical context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen M Meagher
- Biomedical Ethics Research Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA
| | - Susan H Curtis
- Biomedical Ethics Research Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA
| | | | - Annika Beck
- Biomedical Ethics Research Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA
| | | | - Amal Cheema
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, USA
| | - Richard R Sharp
- Biomedical Ethics Research Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA.
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Ethical conflicts in translational genetic research: lessons learned from the eMERGE-III experience. Genet Med 2020; 22:1667-1672. [PMID: 32555418 PMCID: PMC7521988 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-020-0863-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The Electronic Medical Records and Genomics (eMERGE) Consortium integrated biorepository-based research with electronic health records (EHR) to return results from large-scale genetic tests to participants and uploaded those data into the EHR. This article explores the ethical issues investigators encountered in that process. METHODS We conducted in-depth, semistructured interviews with study personnel of the eMERGE-III Consortium sites that returned results. RESULTS We discuss major ethical issues that arose while attempting to return research results from the eMERGE Consortium to individual participants. These included difficulties recontacting those participants who had not explicitly consented to such and disclosing results to many participants with insufficient infrastructure and staff. Investigators reported being driven by a supererogatory clinical impulse. CONCLUSION All these issues ultimately derive from ethical conflicts inherent to translational work being done at the interface of research and clinical care. A critical rethinking of this divide is important, but infrastructural support for such work is necessary for an ethically sound rollout of large-scale genetic testing.
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