The educational needs and professional roles of Canadian physicians and nurses regarding genetic testing and adult onset hereditary disease.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the knowledge, professional involvement and confidence of Canadian nurses and physicians in providing genetic services for adult onset hereditary disease.


METHODS
1,425 physicians and 1,425 nurses received a mailed questionnaire with reminders. The response rates were 50% (n = 543) and 79% (n = 975), respectively.


RESULTS
Forty-eight percent of physicians and 31% of nurses lacked formal education in genetics. Respondents reported being involved in caring for people at risk for adult onset hereditary disease. Their levels of confidence that they could perform tasks, such as counselling about predictive genetic tests, however, were lower than their levels of expectation that it would be important for them to provide these services.


CONCLUSIONS
The expected roles and educational needs of Canadian nurses and physicians have broad areas of overlap suggesting the possibility of combined professional education programs and multiple ways of organizing teams to provide genetic services to people at risk for adult onset hereditary disease.
Bottorff
Joan L
JL
School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. Bottorff@nursing.ubc.ca
Blaine
Sean
S
Carroll
June C
JC
Esplen
Mary Jane
MJ
Evans
Jane
J
Nicolson Klimek
Mary Lou
ML
Meschino
Wendy
W
Ritvo
Paul
P
D000367:Age Factors; D002170:Canada; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004501:Education, Medical; D004506:Education, Nursing; D004517:Education, Professional; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics* / Q000628:therapy*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010819:Physician's Role