Healthcare System Priorities for Successful Integration of Genomics: An Australian Focus

Belinda L Burns; Gemma A Bilkey; Emily P Coles; Faye L Bowman; John P Beilby; Nicholas S Pachter; Gareth Baynam; Hugh J S Dawkins; Tarun S Weeramanthri; Kristen J Nowak

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2019.00041

Healthcare System Priorities for Successful Integration of Genomics: An Australian Focus

Front Public Health. 2019 Mar 11:7:41. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2019.00041. eCollection 2019.

Authors

Belinda L Burns¹, Gemma A Bilkey^{1

2}, Emily P Coles¹, Faye L Bowman¹, John P Beilby^{3

4}, Nicholas S Pachter^{5

6}, Gareth Baynam^{1

5

7}, Hugh J S Dawkins^{1

4

8

9}, Tarun S Weeramanthri^{2

10}, Kristen J Nowak^{1

4

11}

Affiliations

¹ Office of Population Health Genomics, Public and Aboriginal Health Division, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
² Office of the Chief Health Officer, Public and Aboriginal Health Division, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
³ PathWest Laboratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia.
⁴ Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.
⁵ Genetic Services of Western Australia, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, Subiaco, WA, Australia.
⁶ Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.
⁷ Western Australian Register of Developmental Anomalies, Department of Health, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Government of Western Australia, Subiaco, WA, Australia.
⁸ Sir Walter Murdoch School of Policy and International Affairs, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia.
⁹ School of Public Health, Curtin University of Technology, Bentley, WA, Australia.
¹⁰ Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.
¹¹ Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, QEII Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia.

Abstract

This paper examines key considerations for the successful integration of genomic technologies into healthcare systems. All healthcare systems strive to introduce new technologies that are effective and affordable, but genomics offers particular challenges, given the rapid evolution of the technology. In this context we frame internationally relevant discussion points relating to effective and sustainable implementation of genomic testing within the strategic priority areas of the recently endorsed Australian National Health Genomics Policy Framework. The priority areas are services, data, workforce, finances, and person-centred care. In addition, we outline recommendations from a government perspective through the lens of the Australian health system, and argue that resources should be allocated not to just genomic testing alone, but across the five strategic priority areas for full effectiveness.

Keywords: Australia; equity; genetic testing; genomics; health system; healthcare; policy framework; technology.

Publication types

Review