Providing information at the point of care: educational diagnostic reports from a genetic testing service provider

Strategies to facilitate the provisioning of genetic health-care services by primary care physicians will improve access to these services for the average patient while making the most efficient use of limited human and financial resources within the health-care system. Genetic laboratories have become a major source of information and consultation for clinicians ordering genetic tests. This article describes the development and evaluation of a program to provide physician-directed information from a molecular testing facility to assist physicians in selecting and counseling patients and interpreting genetic test results. Semi-structured telephone interviews were used to gather physicians' opinions about the utility of the program and the way in which the information was used in their practice. Forty-three percent of those interviewed were unfamiliar with some of the information provided, with test methodology and sensitivity/specificity most often identified as novel information. Fifty-two percent of pediatric specialists were unfamiliar with some aspect of the information Sheet, despite being the highest consumers of testing services in this sample. Pediatricians and pediatric specialists also rated the initiative highest in terms of its usefulness in their practice, followed by genetic specialists. Overall, physicians confirmed the utility of the program as an educational tool for themselves, and for other non-patient educational activities in which they are involved.