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The Gene Messenger Impact Project: An Innovative Genetics Continuing Education Strategy for Primary Care Providers
June C Carroll1, Roland Grad, Judith E Allanson
1Dr. Carroll: Professor, Sydney G. Frankfort Chair in Family Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Sinai Health System, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Grad: Associate Professor, McGill University, Herzl Family Practice Centre, Centre Médecine Familiale Herzl, Montréal, Quebec, Canada. Dr. Allanson: Department of Genetics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Professor, Department of Paediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada. Dr. Pluye: Full Professor, FRQS Senior Research Scholar, Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada. Ms. Permaul: Research Associate, Ray D. Wolfe Department of Family Medicine, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Pimlott: Assistant Professor, University of Toronto, Family Practice Health Centre, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Wilson: Professor, School of Epidemiology, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
Introduction:
Primary care providers (PCP) will need to be integrally involved in the delivery of genomic medicine. The GenetiKit trial demonstrated effectiveness of a knowledge translation intervention on family physicians' (FP) genetics referral decision-making. Most wanted to continue receiving Gene Messengers (GM), evidence-based summaries of new genetic tests with primary care recommendations. Our objective was to determine the value of GMs as a continuing education (CE) strategy in genomic medicine for FPs.
Methods:
Using a "push" model, we invited 19,060 members of the College of Family Physicians of Canada to participate. Participants read GMs online, receiving 12 emailed topics over 6 months. Participants completed an online Information Assessment Method questionnaire evaluating GMs on four constructs: cognitive impact, relevance, intended use of information for a patient, and expected health benefits.
Results:
One thousand four hundred two FPs participated, 55% rated at least one GM. Most (73%) indicated their practice would be improved after reading GMs, with referral to genetics ranked highly. Of those who rated a GM relevant, 94% would apply it to at least one patient and 79% would expect health benefits. This method of CE was found useful for genetics by 88% and 94% wanted to continue receiving GMs.
Discussion:
FPs found this novel CE strategy, brief individual reflective e-learning, to be valuable for learning about genetics. This method of information delivery may be an especially effective method for CE in genomic medicine where discoveries occur at a rapid pace and lack of knowledge is a barrier to integration of genetic services.
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