title: The views of general practitioners on community carrier screening for cystic fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent developments in molecular genetics have made it possible to identify carriers of the cystic fibrosis (CF) mutation, regardless of family history, before they have an affected child. Using these techniques, population or 'community' carrier screening can offer informed reproductive choice to individuals and couples who would not otherwise know of their risk of having a CF child.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study set out to assess the views of general practitioners (GPs) on community carrier screening for CF and to consider the factors that influence their willingness to offer it themselves.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-administered questionnaires was sent to all 616 GPs in four areas of North Thames (West) Region.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two-thirds of respondents indicated that identifying carrier couples to offer genetic counselling before conception was a very important benefit of community carrier screening. Two-thirds felt that general practice was the most appropriate place in which to offer it, and similar proportions that the most appropriate times to do so were when a close relative was diagnosed and when seeking family planning. About half wanted to offer community carrier screening themselves; this was related to experience with CF patients and CF carrier testing, and estimates of the numbers of CF carriers in the practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is considerable support among GPs for community carrier screening for CF in general practice, particularly in the context of family planning services. Knowledge and experience of CF increase GPs' willingness to offer it themselves.
authors: Academic Department of Public Health, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, London.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Boulton
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Cummings
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Williamson
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003153:Community Health Services; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004739:England; D006580:Genetic Carrier Screening; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D037841:Pregnant People; D018570:Risk Assessment