The effects of uncertainty on the physician-patient relationship in predictive genetic testing

In this commentary, I wish to focus on the physician as teacher and communicator. How will physicians deal candidly with their patients in the face of multiple sources of uncertainty? Will physicians recognize the extent of uncertainty? Are they prepared to? Disposed to? Failure to take advantage of a test that may significantly affect the health of an individual or the health of future offspring is a source of one possible disservice to patients. Failure to appreciate the magnitude of uncertainty in clinical testing may lead to other harms. Physicians are also called on to convey information and to aid understanding; individuals are at a disadvantage when this process is flawed by physicians' failure to appreciate uncertainty.