PS1-09: Public Opinion of Family History and Genetic Testing for Common Diseases: Results from Focus Groups with Kaiser Permanente Colorado Members

Clin Med Res. 2010 Dec;8(3-4):190-1.
PS1-09: Public Opinion of Family History and Genetic Testing for Common Diseases: Results from Focus Groups with Kaiser Permanente Colorado Members.

Rahm AK.

Abstract

Background and Aims: With the advent of personalized medicine, consumers are routinely exposed to information about new gene discoveries, family history, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising of genetic tests. Since 2008, the BRACAnalsysis(®) test for breast cancer risk has been steadily advertised directly to consumers in different markets across the US, and at least 3 companies now offer DTC genetic screening for $300 - $1000, with more companies entering this burgeoning market. The specific aims of this project are to: determine how individuals understand the issue of family history and DTC genetic tests, and to determine how individual perspectives about issue salience and issue frames differ by population group. Methods: As part of a CRN pilot project, focus groups were conducted with Kaiser Permanente Colorado members in 2009 to determine individual perspectives and public opinion about the importance and value of family history, DTC genetic testing, and DTC advertising and other media representations of DTC genetic tests. Focus groups were conducted by concordant population groups: General population KPCO members, members who self-identify as African American, members who self-identify as Hispanic/Latino, women with a recent referral for BRCA1/2 testing, KPCO primary care providers, and KPCO specialty care providers. Results: Results on focus group demographics, media use, trust in information, and most trusted information sources are presented. Additional results include coding focus group transcripts for value and polarity (positive/negative) of opinion on family history and genetic testing. Additional coding for how different population groups frame opinion on the issue (progressive, deterministic, caution) include results on whether frames are similar or different across population groups. Finally, information on the impact of media presentations on member opinion and decision-making were assessed. Conclusions: Individual opinions about the value of family history and genetic testing for disease risk vary greatly. Salience of themes related to genetic testing and DTC genetic tests specifically may vary across concordant population groups.

PMID: 21177572 [PubMed - in process]PMCID: PMC3006568
Free PMC Article
PS1-09: Public Opinion of Family History and Genetic Testing for Common Diseases: Results from Focus Groups with Kaiser Permanente Colorado Members


PS1-09: Public Opinion of Family History and Genet... [Clin Med Res. 2010] - PubMed result
PS1-09: Public Opinion of Family History and Genet... [Clin Med Res. 2010] - PubMed result


PS1-09: Public Opinion of Family History and Genetic Testing for Common Diseases: Results from Focus Groups with Kaiser Permanente Colorado Members -- Rahm 8 (34): 190 -- Clinical Medicine & Research