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Updated: Feb 18, 2026

Targeted Next-generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics Pipeline to Evaluate Genetic Determinants of Constitutional Disease
Published on: April 4, 2018
Communication challenges for nongeneticist physicians relaying clinical genomic results
Nonie S Arora1,1, J Kelly Davis2,3,2,3, Christine Kirby2,3,2,3
1University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
Aim:
Identify the behavioral challenges to the use of genome sequencing (GS) in a clinical setting.
Materials & Methods:
We observed how general internists and nongenetic specialists delivered GS results to patients enrolled in the MedSeq Project. Using transcripts of such disclosure interactions, we made qualitative observations of communication behaviors that could limit the usefulness of GS results until reaching the point of thematic saturation.
Results:
Findings included confusion regarding genomic terminology, difficulty with the volume or complexity of information and difficulties communicating complex risk information to patients. We observed a broad dismissal of clinical value of GS by some physicians and sometimes ineffective communication regarding health behavior change.
Conclusion:
Overcoming these behavioral challenges is necessary to make full use of clinical GS results.
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