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Attitudes of Dutch general practitioners towards presymptomatic DNA‐testing for Huntington disease
Author(s) -
Thomassen René,
Tibben Aad,
Niermeijer Martinus F.,
Does Emiel,
Kamp Jacques J. P.,
Verhage Frans
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
clinical genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.543
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1399-0004
pISSN - 0009-9163
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-0004.1993.tb04428.x
Subject(s) - predictive testing , genetic counseling , genetic testing , family medicine , medicine , test (biology) , referral , geneticist , disease , psychosocial , carrier testing , dna testing , risk assessment , psychology , psychiatry , prenatal diagnosis , genetics , pregnancy , biology , paleontology , fetus , computer security , computer science
The attitudes of 1020 Dutch GP's towards presymptomatic and prenatal testing for Huntington disease (HD) were studied by means of a postal questionnaire. The questionnaire contained questions about: approval of presymptomatic DNA‐testing, informing individuals at‐risk who do not request predictive testing, referral to a clinical genetics center, and opinions about different strategies of informing and supporting individuals at‐risk. The response rate was 62%. More than two‐thirds of the GP's considered post‐test counselling and support as their responsibility. Twenty‐six per cent were of the opinion that the test results should be disclosed by the GP. Fifty‐nine per cent of GP's who had an individual at‐risk in their practice were familiar with the test. The attitudes of GP's towards giving support and giving test results were independent of familiarity with the test and the incidence of HD‐patients or at‐risk individuals in the practice. Although GP's were willing to play an important role in presymptomatic DNA‐testing procedures, there is a risk that they might underestimate the difficulties in communicating genetic information and the psychosocial effects of DNA‐testing. Hence, we favor the premise that extensive pretest counselling and test disclosure should remain the prime responsibility of the clinical geneticist. Increasing involvement of GP's should, however, be encouraged and combined with appropriate postgraduate education about predictive DNA‐testing in general.