An Accessible Communication System for Population-Based Genetic Testing: Development and Usability Study

Area of Science:

• Genetics
• Public Health
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Low uptake of genetic testing for cancer susceptibility genes persists despite established links to cancer risk.
• Barriers to genetic testing access, rather than insurance coverage, may explain low participation rates.
• Web-based communication systems offer a potential solution to enhance awareness and uptake of genetic testing services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multistep web-based communication system.
• To conduct a formative evaluation of the system for genetic testing implementation.
• To improve access to genetic testing for individuals at risk.

Main Methods:

• Considered accessibility dimensions, barriers, and facilitators during system design.
• Employed usability testing and expert user experience consultation.
• Conducted ongoing assessments of system function and participant response rates for iterative modification.

Main Results:

• Usability testing and expert consultation led to modifications in imagery, content, and organization.
• Improvements focused on enhancing overall web accessibility of the communication system.
• The system underwent iterative changes based on user feedback and performance metrics.

Conclusions:

• A multistep web-based system effectively addresses access barriers to genetic testing.
• The system can facilitate participation for individuals at hereditary cancer risk.
• Ongoing assessment during implementation is crucial for optimizing communication system dimensions.