Patient and Healthcare Professional Views on Genetic/Genomic Information and Testing

NCT ID: NCT04733274

Last Updated: 2025-02-04

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
• Total Enrollment: 227 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2018-03-22
• Study Completion Date: 2025-12-31

Brief Summary

Technologic advances (i.e. next generation sequencing technologies and novel bioinformatics approaches) have been drivers of scientific discovery and have deepened our understanding of the genetics and genomics of health and disease. In parallel, the falling cost of sequencing has led to screening moving from specialty clinics into the primary care setting. However, our ability to help patients and families understand these technologies and related genetic health literacy issues lag behind. These factors pose a number of questions and challenges for clinicians including: how can we best present complex genetic/genomic information to patients to ensure that patients understand the information and can make informed decisions? What are the specific information and support needs of patients and families to be able to make decisions that are in line with their values? In collaboration with investigators from the Harvard Reproductive Endocrine Sciences Center at the Massachusetts General Hospital, this project broadly aims to examine patient understanding and factors affecting decisions surrounding genetic testing. Using the paradigm of a rare genetic disorder (isolated gonadotropin releasing hormone [GnRH] deficiency - hypogonadotropic hypogonadism/Kallmann syndrome [HH/KS]) we will examine the views and perspectives of patients and healthcare professionals alike regarding genetic/genomic information and testing with the intention of identifying patient-centered responses to these unmet needs and challenges.

Detailed Description

The focus of this study is to better understand perspectives on genetic testing. The study will collect and analyze both quantitative and qualitative data form healthcare professionals as well as patients. Findings will be used to inform more person-centered approaches to genetic testing that will support high-quality decisions that are informed and aligned with patient values and preferences. To achieve this, the study has three specific aims.

Aim 1. Evaluate the understandability and acceptability of education materials (including information on genetic testing) co-created with patients.

Patient education materials will be created drawing on healthcare professionals expertise (i.e. content experts) and patients (i.e. lived experience). Quality of materials will be quantitatively measured using the gold standard Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT).

Aim 2. Identify the central elements for a patient decision aid using expert clinician opinion.

Healthcare professionals who are content experts in the field will be surveyed to determine key information for a proposed genetic testing decision aid. Quantitative findings will guide the content of a patient decision aid for genetic testing.

Aim 3. Explore patient needs for information and support related to genetic testing.

Qualitative focus groups with patients will be conducted and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings will inform the development of a patient decision aid for genetic testing that is responsive to the aspects which matter most to patients.

Conditions

Hypogonadism, Hypogonadotropic; Kallmann Syndrome

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: ECOLOGIC_OR_COMMUNITY
• Study Time Perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. self-identified as having been diagnosed with either normosmic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) or Kallmann syndrome (KS)

2. between the ages of 18-70 years

3. primary language is English/capable of responding to a written questionnaire in English

4. has lived in the United states for 5 years or longer

5. checking the opt-in electronic consent

Exclusion Criteria

1. other diagnosis of hypogonadism i.e. Klinefelter syndrome, or adult-onset hypogonadotropic hypogonadism

2. outside the stated age range

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 70 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Massachusetts General Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Boston College

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Andrew Dwyer

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Andrew A Dwyer, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Boston College

Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, United States

Countries

United States

References

Dwyer AA, Uveges M, Dockray S, Smith N. Advancing qualitative rare disease research methodology: a comparison of virtual and in-person focus group formats. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2022 Sep 11;17(1):354. doi: 10.1186/s13023-022-02522-3.

Reference Type: BACKGROUND

PMID: 36089593 (View on PubMed)

Dwyer AA, Zeng Z, Lee CS. Validating online approaches for rare disease research using latent class mixture modeling. Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2021 May 10;16(1):209. doi: 10.1186/s13023-021-01827-z.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 33971926 (View on PubMed)

Dwyer AA, Uveges MK, Dockray S, Smith N. Exploring Rare Disease Patient Attitudes and Beliefs regarding Genetic Testing: Implications for Person-Centered Care. J Pers Med. 2022 Mar 16;12(3):477. doi: 10.3390/jpm12030477.

Reference Type: RESULT

PMID: 35330476 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

18.081.01

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id