Development and evaluation of a novel educational program for providers on the use of polygenic risk scores

Tatiane Yanes; Courtney K Wallingford; Mary-Anne Young; Aideen M McInerney-Leo; Amanda M Willis; Lauren McKnight; Bronwyn Terrill; Simone McInerny; Laura E Forrest; Linda Cicciarelli; Rachel Williams; Holly Keane; Paul A James

doi:10.1016/j.gim.2023.100876

Development and evaluation of a novel educational program for providers on the use of polygenic risk scores

Genet Med. 2023 Aug;25(8):100876. doi: 10.1016/j.gim.2023.100876. Epub 2023 May 3.

Affiliations

¹ Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Dermatology Research Centre, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: t.yanes@uq.edu.au.
² Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Dermatology Research Centre, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
³ Clinical Translational and Engagement Platform, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.
⁴ Clinical Translational and Engagement Platform, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.
⁵ Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
⁶ Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
⁷ Parkville Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
⁸ Hereditary Cancer Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia; School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW, Australia.

PMID: 37149760
DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2023.100876

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to develop an online educational program for using polygenic risk score (PRS) for breast and ovarian cancer risk assessments and to evaluate the impact on the attitudes, confidence, knowledge, and preparedness of genetic health care providers (GHPs).

Methods: The educational program comprises an online module that covers the theoretical aspects of PRS and a facilitated virtual workshop with prerecorded role-plays and case discussions. Data were collected in pre- and posteducation surveys. Eligible participants were GHPs working in Australian familial cancer clinics registered to recruit patients for a breast and ovarian cancer PRS clinical trial (n = 12).

Results: A total of 124 GHPs completed the PRS education, of whom 80 (64%) and 67 (41%) completed the pre- and posteducation surveys, respectively. Before education, GHPs reported limited experience, confidence, and preparedness using PRS, but they recognized its potential benefits. After education, GHPs indicated improved attitudes (P ≤ .001), confidence (P ≤ .001), knowledge (P ≤ .001), and preparedness (P ≤ .001) to use PRS. Most GHPs thought that the program entirely met their learning needs (73%) and was completely relevant to their clinical practice (88%). GHPs identified PRS implementation barriers, including limited funding models, diversity issues, and need for clinical guidelines.

Conclusion: Our education program improved GHP attitudes, confidence, knowledge, and preparedness for using PRS/personalized risk and provides a framework for the development of future programs.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Education; Ovarian cancer; Polygenic risk scores.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Australia
Female
Humans
Learning*
Ovarian Neoplasms*
Risk Factors