"Getting off the Bus Closer to Your Destination": Patients' Views about Pharmacogenetic Testing

Perm J. 2015 Summer;19(3):21-7. doi: 10.7812/TPP/15-046. Epub 2015 Jun 1.

Abstract

The authors conducted focus groups with patients prescribed antidepressants (pilot session plus 2 focus groups, n = 27); patients prescribed carbamazepine (2 focus groups, n = 17); and healthy patients (2 focus groups, n = 17). Although participants understood the potential advantages of pharmacogenetic testing, many felt that the risks (discrimination, stigmatization, physician overreliance on genomic results, and denial of certain medications) may outweigh the benefits. These concerns were shared across groups but were more strongly expressed among participants with chronic mental health diagnoses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Pharmacogenetics*
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Qualitative Research
  • Quality of Health Care
  • Social Stigma

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents