Implementing Primary Care Mediated Population Genetic Screening within an Integrated Health System

Abstract

Introduction Genetic screenings can have a large impact on enabling personalized preventative care. However, this can be limited by the primary use of medical history-based screenings in determining care. The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of DNA10K, a population-based genetic screening program mediated by primary care physicians within an integrated health system to emphasize its contribution to preventative healthcare. Methods Construction of the patient experience as part of DNA10K shaped the context for PCP engagement within the program. A cross-sectional analysis of patient consents, orders, tests, and results of nearly 10,000 patients within the primary care specialties of family medicine, internal medicine or obstetrics/gynecology between April 1, 2019 and January 22, 2020 was conducted. Results Across all specialties, a median number of 7.5 cancer and cardiovascular disease variants per PCP was found. The average age of the study population was 49.6 years. Over 8% of these patients had at least one actionable genetic risk variant and almost 2% of patients had at least one CDC Tier 1 variant. The median numbers of patients per PCP with either hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, Lynch Syndrome, or Familial Hypercholesterolemia was 1 (Interquartile Range 0-2). Discussion The analysis of test results and the engagement of an integrated healthcare system in the implementation of a genetic screening program suggests that it can have a large impact on population health outcomes and minimal referral burden to PCPs if identified risks can lead to preventative care.

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“…(3) It is likely just a matter of time before genetic screening is conducted at the population level, and family physicians are well positioned to lead that initiative. A report from David et al 17 gives us an early preview of such a screening program. (4) Nogues et al 18 review human papillomavirus positive head and neck cancers.…”