Utilization of Psychiatric Pharmacogenomic Testing by Primary Care Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers: Confidence and Implementation Barriers

Introduction Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing identifies individual genetic variation that may inform medication treatment. Sentiment and barriers may limit PGx testing. Here we compare confidence in utilizing PGx testing and barriers to implementation by type of provider and treatment condition as identified in a survey. Methods Healthcare providers in the primary care setting were targeted between November 2022 and February 2023 via the Medscape Members paid market research program. The survey included 5 demographic, 5 multiple-choice, and 4 multi-component five-point Likert scale questions to assess PGx sentiments, use, and education in mental health (e.g., depression) and primary care (e.g., cardiovascular disease) conditions. Responses were descriptively compared. Results Of 305 U.S. provider respondents [40% nurse practitioners (NPs), 33% frontline MDs/DOs, 3% physician assistants (PAs), 24% other], 32% of NPs/PAs and 29% of MDs/DOs had used PGx testing for mental health conditions. The major barriers to adopt PGx testing were similar for mental health and primary care conditions yet differed by provider type. NPs/PAs (72-77%) were more concerned with patient cost than MDs/DOs (46-55%), whereas MDs/DOs were more concerned with evidence of clinical utility (54-59%) than NPs/PAs (40-42%). In respondents who use PGx testing, MDs/DOs reported slightly more confidence utilizing PGx than NPs/PAs. For both groups, confidence in using PGx for mental health conditions was somewhat greater than for non-mental health conditions. Conclusions These data illuminate the implementation barriers and confidence levels of clinicians utilizing PGx testing. Increasing awareness around patient cost and evidence of clinical utility for PGx testing may improve utilization. Funding Myriad Genetics, Inc.