Are public health professionals prepared for public health genomics? A cross-sectional survey in Italy

The decade following the completion of the human genome project has been marked by divergent claims about the utility of genomics for public health purposes. Some public health advocates contend that interventions based on environmental changes will be more effective than those focused on individual behavior change. By contrast, those supportive of a role for public health genomics argue that increasing knowledge of genomics and molecular pathology could unlock effective diagnostic techniques and treatments, as well as better target public health interventions [1‐6].

Public health practitioners from academic, government and other organizations have taken a proactive leadership role in assessing the relevance of DNA technology to population health and to community health interventions [7‐10]. Among the priorities of the public health genomics movement, there is the assurance of an adequate public health capacity on genomics [11‐13]. Appropriate capacity building and the development of a skilled public health workforce competent in the differentiation between genomic technology that is ready for use in population health and technology that is not ready for prime time is a fundamental issue to ensure the appropriate use of genomic information for health promotion and prevention of diseases. Predictive genetics have currently few applications in clinical practice, but the scenario is likely to change in the future. In Italy, as well as in other countries, predictive tests have raised interest in public health, particularly in the case of high-penetrance genetic variants associated with common types of cancer (breast/ovarian and colorectal cancer) and familiar hypercholesterolemia. These predictive genetic tests, if used appropriately, have been demonstrated to be efficacious and cost-effective [14].

Many surveys have been conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes and professional behavior of physicians toward predictive genetic testing for chronic diseases [15‐37]. This study is the first to be carried out on public health practitioners. It was conducted in Italy, where a specific public health genomics policy is being developed [38]. Predictive medicine is one of the four macro-areas of intervention of the 2010–2012 National Preventive Plan, which foresees the drawing up of a dedicated National Plan for Public Health Genomics (PHG-NP). This national plan, which defines the actions to be taken at central level in order to implement a stewardship governance model to best translate genomics in clinical practice, has been recently approved [39].

Out of the original sample of 1,200 public health professionals 797 answered giving an overall response rate of 67.4% (see Table 1 for demographic and professional characteristics of the responding public health professionals). Responders and non-responders were comparable in terms of demographic and professional characteristics (gender, age, type of degree and professional activity; P >0.05). Most responders were female (53.9% vs. 52.6% of non-responders), with a mean age of 47.5 (±10.9) years (48.7 years for non-responders), had a medical degree (79.7% vs. 75.9%) and were employed in Public Health Services of the Italian National Health Service (64.1% vs. 69.0%).

No statistically significant differences were detected between our sample and the study population, since 52.8% of the S.It.I. members are female and have a similar age distribution (S.It.I., personal communication, 2012). The proportions of S.It.I. members with a medical degree and employed in Public Health Services of the Italian NHS were 77.1% and 66.4%, respectively.

A minority of responders were exposed to predictive genetic testing during undergraduate (20.3%) or postgraduate (24.3%) training. Knowledge of the English language appeared to be relatively poor, as 41.4% of subjects indicated “very low” or “low” levels of English. The majority of the sample (55.2%) dedicated 1–5 hours per week to continuing medical education. Less than one third of the responders (26.9%) received specific informative about predictive genetic testing from institutional sources in the previous year (Table 1).

Knowledge of predictive genetic testing for chronic diseases appeared adequate among public health professionals in Italy (Table 2). Almost all responders recognized that predictive genetic tests could identify individuals at higher risk of developing diseases, and the majority correctly agreed with definitions of analytic validity (70.6%), clinical validity (63.0%) and clinical utility (68.0%) of predictive genetic tests. Three-quarters of the sample acknowledged the importance of genetic counseling, but only half were aware of the availability of evidence-based recommendations/guidelines for some predictive genetic tests (Table 2). Only 10.2% of the responders answered all seven questions about predictive genetic testing correctly and this knowledge was significantly associated with exposure to predictive genetic testing during postgraduate training (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.05–2.88), with time dedicated to continuing medical education (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.14–2.04) and with level of English language knowledge (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.07–1.72). Being a physician was a negative predictor of adequate knowledge (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.32–0.92) (Model 1 in Table 3).

Most of responders showed positive attitudes—from a public health perspective—towards predictive genetic testing for chronic diseases (Table 4). The majority of the responders disagreed that predictive genetic tests should be introduced into clinical and public health practice even without health interventions with proven efficacy (57.9%) and 55.7% of them agreed that predictive genetic testing should be performed only if there is evidence of cost-effectiveness. The vast majority of public health professionals recognized that predictive genetic testing should be included in wider prevention strategies taking into account other available health interventions (90.5%) and acknowledged the importance of ethical, legal and social implications (82.5%) (Table 4). A total of 24.3% of public health professionals showed a positive public health attitude in all six questions, and this dichotomization was used to identify as significant predictors (i) adequate knowledge (OR = 3.98, 95% CI = 2.44–6.50), (ii) exposure to predictive genetic testing during underunder training (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.03–2.26) and (iii) time dedicated to continuing medical education (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.06–1.61). Physicians were more likely to show positive public health attitudes than other public health professionals were (OR = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.34–3.51) (Model 2 in Table 3).

About 80% of public health professionals considered their knowledge on predictive genetic testing for chronic diseases to be inadequate. The majority of responders agreed there is a need for increased training on predictive genetic testing for chronic diseases during undergraduate (90.8%) or postgraduate courses (94.6%). Almost all responders (94.6%) believed that their knowledge should be improved, and 86.0% believed that specific post-training courses in predictive genetic testing for chronic diseases should be implemented (data not shown).

A specific health policy concerning public health genomics is currently being developed in Italy by the Ministry of Health [38]. A dedicated National Plan for Public Health Genomics (PHG-NP) has recently been drawn-up that addresses in depth how to translate genomics knowledge into public health [39]. To achieve the strategic objectives of the PHG-NP, systematic health technology assessment of predictive genetic test for complex diseases, promotion of genomic education among physicians and the general public and the development of capacity building among all potential stakeholders for the health care appropriate provision and management of predictive genetic testing will be needed. The public health community is therefore called at playing a proactive role to integrate genome-based knowledge into public health in a responsible and effective way, also anticipating in a certain way the increase in the health service requirements that is likely to occur in the future [14].

To our knowledge, this survey is the first to be conducted on public health practitioners. The results show that the Italian public health community has the necessary attitudinal background to contribute to the proper use of predictive genetic testing for chronic diseases, but that an additional training to increase methodological knowledge is needed. Despite more positive public health attitudes, public health physicians have more gaps in their knowledge than other public health professionals (who are mainly biologists), reflecting possible deficiencies in the genetics components of current medical curricula in Italy. Compared with Italian physicians, who previously showed significant training needs in the field of efficacy, effectiveness and economic evaluation of health interventions [42, 43], public health attitudes towards predictive genetic testing appear to be more positive among public health practitioners. For example, the percentage of public health professionals who agree that the selection of predictive genetic testing to be delivered to the population should be based on the principles of efficacy and cost-effectiveness are higher than those found among Italian physicians in another survey [44]. Globally, the public health community in Italy appears to be more prepared than physicians for a responsible and appropriate introduction of DNA-technology into health care and public health practice.

Previous surveys carried out in the United States among health educators showed that education and training influence public health genomics knowledge and attitudes [45, 46]. The results of the present survey are consistent with these findings. Exposure to predictive genetic testing during undergraduate and postgraduate training and time dedicated to continuing medical education are significant determinants of both knowledge and positive attitudes. Adequate knowledge is the strongest predictor of positive public health attitudes and there is a high level of interest in further education and training to improve knowledge and skills in this field. Overall, the results of this survey clearly indicate that there is a strong need for specific and targeted training initiatives for the public health workforce.

However, lessons drawn from many areas of medicine indicate that education alone does not necessarily translate into effective and appropriate adoption of innovative practice [47, 48]. Organizational changes are needed within the health care system to provide these services effectively and efficiently. In theory, predictive genetic testing can be used in population screening programs led by public health professionals or for early case detection and intervention in primary care settings. Today, there is a limited evidence base to support either genetic population screening programs or a personalized individual predictive genetic testing, but this scenario is likely to change to a large extent in the future [14, 49‐60]. The small number of clinical geneticists in practice will limit their ability to participate in the care associated with an expending menu of genetic tests [51]. Public health professionals could and should play an important role in the “honest broker” evaluation process that can discriminate those genomic applications that can improve health from those that are likely to result in potential harm and unnecessary health care expenditure through premature use. Most importantly, public health professionals can contribute to the modeling of public health genomic programs and primary care services that need to be developed, implemented, and evaluated [61‐63].

The main limitation of this survey concerns the generalizability of its results. While the sample surveyed was representative of the study population and the response rate was high, differences between the Italian and other European and non-European public health workforces are likely to exist. Despite the fact that public health is one of the established specialties in the European Union (EU) [64] and, consequently, a specialist trained in one EU country will be recognized as a specialist in all EU countries, non-uniformity of public health curricula is a recognized problem [65]. Moreover, public health today requires a multidisciplinary workforce [66], and the non-medical component of the public health workforce – in Italy represented mainly by biologists and people with health profession degrees – could vary among countries. Therefore, the knowledge, public health attitudes and training needs in the field of public health genomics should also be assessed in other countries, hopefully within specific national health policy frameworks.

In conclusion, the results of this survey show that the Italian public health community has the necessary attitudinal background to contribute to the proper introduction and use of predictive genetic testing for chronic diseases, but some knowledge gaps exist that should be filled through appropriate training. A specific policy of public health genomics is currently being developed at a national level by the Ministry of Health in Italy [38], with three major mainstays: (i) systematic health technology assessments of genetic tests for complex diseases; (ii) promotion of genomic education in physicians and capacity building; and (iii) promotion of basic genomic health literacy for the general population. The implementation of such a policy is an obligation for public health professionals. They will lose credibility if, on the one hand, they promote health literacy enabling and empowering individuals for decision making, while, on the other hand, they ignore genomic and genetic knowledge, thus missing opportunities to provide evidence-based public health interventions.