Delivering Trio Germline Whole Genome Sequencing to Patients Newly Diagnosed With Childhood Cancer: Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives of the PREDICT Study

ABSTRACT Background Germline genomic sequencing (GS) is increasingly offered to children with cancer. To optimize integration into routine care, assessment of implementation barriers and a better understanding of healthcare professionals' perspectives and experiences are needed. Methods Healthc...

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Main Authors: Jacqueline D. Hunter, Kate Hetherington, Claire E. Wakefield, Katherine M. Tucker, Brittany C. McGill, Andrew Grant, Noemi A. Fuentes‐Bolanos, Bhavna Padhye, Margaret Gleeson, Kanika Bhatia, Michelle Peate
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-02-01
Series:Cancer Medicine
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70680
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author Jacqueline D. Hunter
Kate Hetherington
Claire E. Wakefield
Katherine M. Tucker
Brittany C. McGill
Andrew Grant
Noemi A. Fuentes‐Bolanos
Bhavna Padhye
Margaret Gleeson
Kanika Bhatia
Michelle Peate
author_facet Jacqueline D. Hunter
Kate Hetherington
Claire E. Wakefield
Katherine M. Tucker
Brittany C. McGill
Andrew Grant
Noemi A. Fuentes‐Bolanos
Bhavna Padhye
Margaret Gleeson
Kanika Bhatia
Michelle Peate
author_sort Jacqueline D. Hunter
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Background Germline genomic sequencing (GS) is increasingly offered to children with cancer. To optimize integration into routine care, assessment of implementation barriers and a better understanding of healthcare professionals' perspectives and experiences are needed. Methods Healthcare professionals delivered trio germline GS to newly diagnosed pediatric and adolescent patients with cancer via the PREDICT completed questionnaires with qualitative and quantitative items. Each study site recorded reasons for eligible families' nonenrolment in PREDICT to identify barriers to recruitment. Quantitative data were analyzed via descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative data underwent inductive content analysis, with results integrated for interpretation. Results Thirty‐three healthcare professionals participated, including 23 oncology professionals and 10 genetic professionals. Healthcare professionals perceived PREDICT as beneficial to participating and future families, and that perceptions of personal benefit and altruism were drivers of family uptake. Concerns included workforce capacity and potential family distress given the trio design and high‐stress diagnosis setting. Barriers to recruitment related to clinical decision‐making, family factors, and logistics. Although most rated their genetics/genomics knowledge as “good,” regarding germline results, few were “very confident” interpreting (29%), explaining (32%), making treatment recommendations (9.7%), and providing psychosocial support to families (29%). They acknowledged a need for further training in these areas for trainees; yet, fewer were interested in training for themselves. Conclusion Successful implementation of routine germline GS will require targeted strategies to address logistical issues and alleviate potential negative psychosocial impacts for families. Recognizing the escalating demand on genetics experts, upskilling of the current workforce and involvement of a broader spectrum of healthcare professionals are warranted.
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spelling doaj-art-2d7624ce5eec4d72b5217d6d4850e2112025-08-20T03:18:05ZengWileyCancer Medicine2045-76342025-02-01144n/an/a10.1002/cam4.70680Delivering Trio Germline Whole Genome Sequencing to Patients Newly Diagnosed With Childhood Cancer: Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives of the PREDICT StudyJacqueline D. Hunter0Kate Hetherington1Claire E. Wakefield2Katherine M. Tucker3Brittany C. McGill4Andrew Grant5Noemi A. Fuentes‐Bolanos6Bhavna Padhye7Margaret Gleeson8Kanika Bhatia9Michelle Peate10Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria AustraliaSchool of Clinical Medicine, Randwick Clinical Campus, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health UNSW Sydney Sydney New South Wales AustraliaSchool of Clinical Medicine, Randwick Clinical Campus, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health UNSW Sydney Sydney New South Wales AustraliaHereditary Cancer Centre, Department of Medical Oncology Prince of Wales Hospital Randwick New South Wales AustraliaSchool of Clinical Medicine, Randwick Clinical Campus, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health UNSW Sydney Sydney New South Wales AustraliaKids Cancer Centre Sydney Children's Hospital Sydney New South Wales AustraliaSchool of Clinical Medicine, Randwick Clinical Campus, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health UNSW Sydney Sydney New South Wales AustraliaCancer Centre for Children The Children's Hospital at Westmead Westmead New South Wales AustraliaChildren's Cancer and Haematology Service John Hunter Children's Hospital Newcastle New South Wales AustraliaRoyal Children's Hospital Melbourne Victoria AustraliaDepartment of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria AustraliaABSTRACT Background Germline genomic sequencing (GS) is increasingly offered to children with cancer. To optimize integration into routine care, assessment of implementation barriers and a better understanding of healthcare professionals' perspectives and experiences are needed. Methods Healthcare professionals delivered trio germline GS to newly diagnosed pediatric and adolescent patients with cancer via the PREDICT completed questionnaires with qualitative and quantitative items. Each study site recorded reasons for eligible families' nonenrolment in PREDICT to identify barriers to recruitment. Quantitative data were analyzed via descriptive statistics, whereas qualitative data underwent inductive content analysis, with results integrated for interpretation. Results Thirty‐three healthcare professionals participated, including 23 oncology professionals and 10 genetic professionals. Healthcare professionals perceived PREDICT as beneficial to participating and future families, and that perceptions of personal benefit and altruism were drivers of family uptake. Concerns included workforce capacity and potential family distress given the trio design and high‐stress diagnosis setting. Barriers to recruitment related to clinical decision‐making, family factors, and logistics. Although most rated their genetics/genomics knowledge as “good,” regarding germline results, few were “very confident” interpreting (29%), explaining (32%), making treatment recommendations (9.7%), and providing psychosocial support to families (29%). They acknowledged a need for further training in these areas for trainees; yet, fewer were interested in training for themselves. Conclusion Successful implementation of routine germline GS will require targeted strategies to address logistical issues and alleviate potential negative psychosocial impacts for families. Recognizing the escalating demand on genetics experts, upskilling of the current workforce and involvement of a broader spectrum of healthcare professionals are warranted.https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70680cancer geneticsgenome wide sequencinghereditary cancerpediatric cancer
spellingShingle Jacqueline D. Hunter
Kate Hetherington
Claire E. Wakefield
Katherine M. Tucker
Brittany C. McGill
Andrew Grant
Noemi A. Fuentes‐Bolanos
Bhavna Padhye
Margaret Gleeson
Kanika Bhatia
Michelle Peate
Delivering Trio Germline Whole Genome Sequencing to Patients Newly Diagnosed With Childhood Cancer: Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives of the PREDICT Study
Cancer Medicine
cancer genetics
genome wide sequencing
hereditary cancer
pediatric cancer
title Delivering Trio Germline Whole Genome Sequencing to Patients Newly Diagnosed With Childhood Cancer: Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives of the PREDICT Study
title_full Delivering Trio Germline Whole Genome Sequencing to Patients Newly Diagnosed With Childhood Cancer: Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives of the PREDICT Study
title_fullStr Delivering Trio Germline Whole Genome Sequencing to Patients Newly Diagnosed With Childhood Cancer: Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives of the PREDICT Study
title_full_unstemmed Delivering Trio Germline Whole Genome Sequencing to Patients Newly Diagnosed With Childhood Cancer: Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives of the PREDICT Study
title_short Delivering Trio Germline Whole Genome Sequencing to Patients Newly Diagnosed With Childhood Cancer: Healthcare Professionals' Perspectives of the PREDICT Study
title_sort delivering trio germline whole genome sequencing to patients newly diagnosed with childhood cancer healthcare professionals perspectives of the predict study
topic cancer genetics
genome wide sequencing
hereditary cancer
pediatric cancer
url https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.70680
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