New study reveals PGx knowledge gaps among physicians

A recent study in the journal Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine reveals clear pharmacogenomic “knowledge gaps” among physicians. Katherine A Johansen Taber and Barry D Dickinson of the American Medical Association surveyed 300 physicians across the United States to gauge their familiarity with pharmacogenomics as well as their knowledge of how to order and interpret pharmacogenomic tests.Only 12.6% of physicians strongly or somewhat agreed with the question, “How familiar are you with pharmacogenomics?” even though nearly 20% of the physicians surveyed indicated that they had ordered a pharmacogenomic test within the past year. Of those respondents that had not ordered a pharmacogenomic test the most commonly cited reason was “Don't know which test to order” (69.7%). Almost half of all physicians anticipated ordering a pharmacogenomic test within the following year. Based on the results of the survey the authors conclude that physicians’ lack of understanding of pharmacogenomics remains a significant barrier to widespread implementation of pharmacogenomic testing. Thus, those of us in the PGx domain must do a better job of disseminating PGx information and educating physicians on the use of PGx knowledge. Read the full study and survey below:Pharmacogenomic knowledge gaps and educational resource needs among physicians in selected specialtiesPharmacogenomics and personalized medicine (2014).Dickinson Barry, D and Johansen Taber Katherine A.