Utilisation of genomic services among physicians in Kenya

BackgroundWith advancement of genetic technology and mainstreaming of genetics into all specialties of medicine, physicians will be required to play a pivotal role in the coordination and provision of primary genetic services. ObjectiveTo describe the delivery of basic genetic services among physicians in Kenya and factors affecting integration of genomic medicine into their practice. Materials and MethodsAn online descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among registered physicians practicing within Kenya and physicians in training at University of Nairobi. A self-administered online close-ended questionnaire that assessed the following domains: delivery of genetic services, attitude and perceptions towards genetics, barriers to delivery of genomic services, knowledge of genetics and physician demographics. Simple random sampling method was used to recruit participants into the study. Interview of participants was conducted using an online close-ended questionnaire. Descriptive analysis methods were used for data analysis. The data was summarized using frequencies and proportions. ResultsThe response rate was 41% with 190 of the eligible 464 physicians completing the survey. Eighty-seven percent of respondents had not received formal training in genetics, with 80% reporting involvement in evaluation of genetic patients. Physician involvement in genetic testing and pharmacogenomics was low at 31% and 29% respectively. Sixty-four percent of the respondents graded their graded their knowledge of genetics as moderate. Participants identified limited access to medical geneticist (80%), lack of referral guidelines (86%), high cost of genetic services (93%), inadequate knowledge of genetics as barriers to genetic service delivery. ConclusionUptake of genetic service provision to patients by physician remains low due to inadequate genetics training, limited genetic specialists and prohibitive costs of genetic testing. Mitigation of these factors is required to improve genetic access to care.