A survey of genetics knowledge of health professionals: implications for physical therapists

PURPOSE

Rapid advances in the field of genetics are having a significant impact on healthcare. Most healthcare professionals are seeing clients that have genetic components to their diseases or conditions. Increasingly, healthcare professionals need information to appropriately refer clients to genetic services and to maintain confidentiality of genetic information. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of genetic advances on healthcare professionals.

METHODS

A random sample survey of the membership of six professional associations for healthcare providers was conducted in 1998. Respondents were asked questions about demographics, work settings, client characteristics, provision of genetic services, job responsibilities, genetics education, and need for genetics education.

RESULTS

The results indicate that healthcare professionals, including physical therapists, provide some genetic services but that they are not confident in providing those services. Physical therapists reported that they had limited education in genetics and that they thought more continuing education in genetics was a priority.

CONCLUSIONS

Professional associations like the APTA need to be aware of the need for genetics education for their members and to consider genetics education as a priority.

The gap between practice and genetics education of health professionals: HuGEM survey results

PURPOSE

To determine the genetics education needs and priorities of dietitians, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists, speech-language-hearing specialists, and social workers.

METHODS

A random sample mail survey of 3,600 members of 6 national health professional organizations was undertaken in 1998 and resulted in 1,958 responses.

RESULTS

A majority worked with clients with genetic conditions, most were providing genetic services to some clients, few had high confidence in providing genetic services, most had little or no education in genetics, and two-thirds wanted continuing education.

CONCLUSION

The study shows a critical need for genetics education of allied and counseling health professionals.

Genetic discrimination: perspectives of consumers

In a study of the perceptions of 332 members of genetic support groups with one or more of 101 different genetic disorders in the family, it was found that as a result of a genetic disorder 25 percent of the respondents or affected family members believed they were refused life insurance, 22 percent believed they were refused health insurance, and 13 percent believed they were denied or let go from a job. Fear of genetic discrimination resulted in 9 percent of respondents or family members refusing to be tested for genetic conditions, 18 percent not revealing genetic information to insurers, and 17 percent not revealing information to employers. The level of perceived discrimination points to the need for more information to determine the extent and scope of the problem.