Medical practice and genetics in the mid-Michigan area

In this report the authors provide information on the knowledge of and attitudes on genetics of allopathic and osteopathic physicians of the Mid-Michigan area. The type of degree (M.D. or D.O.) made no difference with respect to physicians' knowledge of genetics, while their specialty and year of graduation from medical school each had a significant impact on the physicians' genetic performance. Although there are important differences by specialty area, the average score on a multiple-choice genetic knowledge test was approximately 50 percent correct. Respondents were more likely to indicate a lack of knowledge than to choose an incorrect answer, but the overall level of knowledge was low. Ninety-two percent of the respondents stated that their present knowledge was inadequate and preferred continuing medical education courses and case-related conferences to increase their knowledge.