Assessment of knowledge, perceptions, and readiness of healthcare professionals towards clinical pharmacogenomics implementation in Qatar: a mixed-method study

Introduction Pharmacogenomics implementation in clinical practice is anticipated to improve our understanding of individual variations in drug response and optimise the safety and efficacy of drug therapy. We aimed to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and readiness of physicians, pharmacists, and n...

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Main Authors: Shaikha Jabor Alnaimi, Fatima Ajaj, Ahmed Awaisu, Turfa Alhathal, Shaban Mohammed, Moza Alhail
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20523211.2024.2429785
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author Shaikha Jabor Alnaimi
Fatima Ajaj
Ahmed Awaisu
Turfa Alhathal
Shaban Mohammed
Moza Alhail
author_facet Shaikha Jabor Alnaimi
Fatima Ajaj
Ahmed Awaisu
Turfa Alhathal
Shaban Mohammed
Moza Alhail
author_sort Shaikha Jabor Alnaimi
collection DOAJ
description Introduction Pharmacogenomics implementation in clinical practice is anticipated to improve our understanding of individual variations in drug response and optimise the safety and efficacy of drug therapy. We aimed to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and readiness of physicians, pharmacists, and nurses in Qatar regarding the implementation of clinical pharmacogenomics.Methods A mixed-method study with an explanatory sequential design was conducted. Phase I was the quantitative phase which involved sending an online survey to physicians, pharmacists, and nurses. Phase II was the qualitative phase which involved conducting focus group discussions.Results A total of 802 responses were collected, with a response rate of 20%. Only 15.4% of participants had previous pharmacogenomics-related training. The median knowledge score for healthcare professionals was 4 out of 10 denoting low level of knowledge. However, compared to other professions, pharmacists had a higher knowledge score (p-value <0.001) and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) holders scored higher than BSc holders (p-value <0.001). Despite the low level of knowledge, perceptions of healthcare professionals were positive. In addition, the majority believed knowledge of pharmacogenomics is necessary and that counselling patients on pharmacogenomics requires specialised training pharmacogenomic principles in practice. The main themes extracted from the focus group discussions were knowledge, outcome expectations, preparedness, facilitators, barriers, public education, and implementation planning. Regarding readiness, most healthcare professionals reported that they are not currently confident in applyingConclusions Healthcare providers have a low level of knowledge of pharmacogenomics. Despite this, the majority have positive perceptions towards its implementation in practice. Compared to other professionals, pharmacists with a PharmD degree scored higher in the knowledge assessment. Most healthcare providers report low confidence regarding the readiness for the implementation of pharmacogenomics and report a lack of knowledge, specialised training, and clinical guidelines as barriers.
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spelling doaj-art-2a3bf00189314337b0ccda693c7cdb6d2024-12-03T09:48:28ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice2052-32112024-12-0117110.1080/20523211.2024.2429785Assessment of knowledge, perceptions, and readiness of healthcare professionals towards clinical pharmacogenomics implementation in Qatar: a mixed-method studyShaikha Jabor Alnaimi0Fatima Ajaj1Ahmed Awaisu2Turfa Alhathal3Shaban Mohammed4Moza Alhail5Pharmacy Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, QatarPharmacy Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, QatarDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy and Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qatar University, Doha, QatarPharmacy Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, QatarPharmacy Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, QatarPharmacy Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, QatarIntroduction Pharmacogenomics implementation in clinical practice is anticipated to improve our understanding of individual variations in drug response and optimise the safety and efficacy of drug therapy. We aimed to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and readiness of physicians, pharmacists, and nurses in Qatar regarding the implementation of clinical pharmacogenomics.Methods A mixed-method study with an explanatory sequential design was conducted. Phase I was the quantitative phase which involved sending an online survey to physicians, pharmacists, and nurses. Phase II was the qualitative phase which involved conducting focus group discussions.Results A total of 802 responses were collected, with a response rate of 20%. Only 15.4% of participants had previous pharmacogenomics-related training. The median knowledge score for healthcare professionals was 4 out of 10 denoting low level of knowledge. However, compared to other professions, pharmacists had a higher knowledge score (p-value <0.001) and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) holders scored higher than BSc holders (p-value <0.001). Despite the low level of knowledge, perceptions of healthcare professionals were positive. In addition, the majority believed knowledge of pharmacogenomics is necessary and that counselling patients on pharmacogenomics requires specialised training pharmacogenomic principles in practice. The main themes extracted from the focus group discussions were knowledge, outcome expectations, preparedness, facilitators, barriers, public education, and implementation planning. Regarding readiness, most healthcare professionals reported that they are not currently confident in applyingConclusions Healthcare providers have a low level of knowledge of pharmacogenomics. Despite this, the majority have positive perceptions towards its implementation in practice. Compared to other professionals, pharmacists with a PharmD degree scored higher in the knowledge assessment. Most healthcare providers report low confidence regarding the readiness for the implementation of pharmacogenomics and report a lack of knowledge, specialised training, and clinical guidelines as barriers.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20523211.2024.2429785Pharmacogenomicsmixed methodsurveyfocus groupsperceptions
spellingShingle Shaikha Jabor Alnaimi
Fatima Ajaj
Ahmed Awaisu
Turfa Alhathal
Shaban Mohammed
Moza Alhail
Assessment of knowledge, perceptions, and readiness of healthcare professionals towards clinical pharmacogenomics implementation in Qatar: a mixed-method study
Journal of Pharmaceutical Policy and Practice
Pharmacogenomics
mixed method
survey
focus groups
perceptions
title Assessment of knowledge, perceptions, and readiness of healthcare professionals towards clinical pharmacogenomics implementation in Qatar: a mixed-method study
title_full Assessment of knowledge, perceptions, and readiness of healthcare professionals towards clinical pharmacogenomics implementation in Qatar: a mixed-method study
title_fullStr Assessment of knowledge, perceptions, and readiness of healthcare professionals towards clinical pharmacogenomics implementation in Qatar: a mixed-method study
title_full_unstemmed Assessment of knowledge, perceptions, and readiness of healthcare professionals towards clinical pharmacogenomics implementation in Qatar: a mixed-method study
title_short Assessment of knowledge, perceptions, and readiness of healthcare professionals towards clinical pharmacogenomics implementation in Qatar: a mixed-method study
title_sort assessment of knowledge perceptions and readiness of healthcare professionals towards clinical pharmacogenomics implementation in qatar a mixed method study
topic Pharmacogenomics
mixed method
survey
focus groups
perceptions
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/20523211.2024.2429785
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