Understanding psychiatrist perceptions surrounding psychiatric genetics and genetic counseling services

摘要

The first specialty psychiatric genetic counselling (PGC) service began in Vancouver,udCanada in 2012. Shortly thereafter, a genetic counselor in San Francisco, CA started audprivate PGC practice. Clear benefits of PGC have been demonstrated, includingudincreases in empowerment and self-efficacy among individuals with mental illness.udDespite the availability and benefits of PGC, the majority of physicians are notudreferring patients to the private PGC practice in San Francisco. Until now, noudliterature has focused on psychiatrist perceptions of PGC services. This qualitativeudstudy examined the perceptions and beliefs of psychiatrists on the potentialudchallenges and benefits of PGC services for individuals with mental illness. Semistructuredudtelephone interviews were used to explore the experiences and perceptionsudof ten psychiatrists about psychiatric genetics and the potential clinical utility of PGC.udAnalysis of interview transcripts revealed themes related to psychiatrists: 1)udperceiving PGC as a potentially beneficial service in the future, but with significantudlimitations in the present; 2) requiring more information about PGC above andudbeyond current marketing methods; and 3) giving limited priority to discussing andudarranging PGC referrals because they (the psychiatrists) feel they already provideudgenetic counseling to their patients. Identifying both conceptual and practical barriersudto PGC services provides guidance for development of strategies to overcome theseudbarriers in the growing field of PGC services around the world.