Educating Providers on the Utility of Pharmacogenomic Testing

Pharmacogenomic testing is the use of an individual’s genotype to help determine their response to certain medications metabolized by the cytochrome P450 enzyme family. This information can help to prevent adverse drug effects and guide medication selection and dosing. This testing is becoming more widely utilized and more commonly available. It is now available as a direct-to-consumer test. Many providers lack the necessary education in pharmacogenomics to utilize this technology or discuss it with their patients. Educational interventions for providers are effective at improving provider knowledge and confidence regarding pharmacogenomic testing. This practice project sought to educate providers at a rural, federally qualified health center about pharmacogenomic testing, how to utilize psychotropic-focused testing in primary care, and the importance of educating patients about such testing and results. The goal of the project was to effect change in the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of providers in regard to pharmacogenomic testing. A total of 15 providers participated in the study in which an educational intervention was delivered and the results measured by an anonymous pre- and post-test. The results of the study appear to be statistically significant. A provider toolkit was developed and integrated into the electronic health record at the project site based on the feedback received from the providers regarding their preferences. The educational intervention was incorporated into the onboarding for new providers at the facility.