title: Genetics educational needs in China: physicians' experience and knowledge of genetic testing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to explore the relationship between physicians' knowledge and utilization of genetic testing and to explore genetics educational needs in China.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous survey about experience, attitudes, and knowledge of genetic testing was conducted among physicians affiliated with Peking Union Medical College Hospital during their annual health evaluation. A personal genetics knowledge score was developed and predictors of personal genetics knowledge score were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-four physicians (33% male) completed the survey. Fifty-eight percent of them had used genetic testing in their clinical practice. Using a 4-point scale, mean knowledge scores of six common genetic testing techniques ranged from 1.7 ± 0.9 to 2.4 ± 1.0, and the average personal genetics knowledge score was 2.1 ± 0.8. In regression analysis, significant predictors of higher personal genetics knowledge score were ordering of genetic testing, utilization of pedigrees, higher medical degree, and recent genetics training (P < 0.05). Sixty-six percent of physicians indicated a desire for specialized genetic services, and 84% reported a desire for additional genetics education.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated a sizable gap between Chinese physicians' knowledge and utilization of genetic testing. Participants had high self-perceived genetics educational needs. Development of genetics educational platforms is both warranted and desired in China.Genet Med 17 9, 757-760.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.|Center for Translational Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0038-5516
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.|Center for Translational Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Tengda
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3446-7114
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Beverly M
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0807-3258
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Yashar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002681:China; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D005826:Genetics, Medical / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D008297:Male; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires