Barriers to the provision of genetic services by primary care physicians: a systematic review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this literature review is to report primary care physicians' perceived barriers concerning the provision of genetic services.


METHODS
Sixty-eight papers were identified in six electronic databases. Only publications classified as empirical studies (N = 18) were included in this review.


RESULTS
Barriers identified most frequently in reviewed studies were inadequate knowledge of basic genetics, lack of detailed or updated family histories, lack of confidence, and lack of referral guidelines.


CONCLUSIONS
Although many primary care physicians perceive genetics as a low practice priority, they do report a need for educational programs in genetics, informational resources, and referral guidelines.
Suther
Sandy
S
Department of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843-4243, USA.
Goodson
Patricia
P
D033142:Genetic Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000639:trends*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000639:trends*