University of Michigan Seeks Partners for Cancer Genetics Study

Clinical research faculty at the University of Michigan are submitting a grant proposal to PCORI (Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute), aiming to compare care delivery models in the primary care setting to better facilitate clinical genetic testing for cancer susceptibility among high-risk patients. See this flyer for more details. 

• Problem: Patient and clinician barriers in accessing hereditary cancer genetic testing exist, including scarcity of genetics specialty services, long wait times for appointments, referral requirements, and clinician knowledge gaps regarding hereditary cancer testing.
• Aim: Compare traditional (genetic counselor referral) and alternative (primary care clinician-facilitated testing) strategies to improve access to and uptake of hereditary cancer genetic testing. Clinical sites will be randomized to either the primary care testing arm or genetic counselor referral arm. Sites in both arms will receive hands-on training and access to a digital family history collection/clinical risk assessment tool to help identify appropriate patients for genetic evaluation.
• Outcomes: Uptake of genetic testing among eligible patients, decisional quality, patient/clinician satisfaction with each approach, and genetics knowledge.
• Needs assessment: Please consider completing the following survey assessing clinician experiences with hereditary cancer genetic testing (raffle to win a $50 gift card).

If you are interested in learning more about participating in this exciting project, please contact Sarah Austin, Certified Genetic Counselor ([email protected], Office # 734-763-4284) and consider completing this letter of support.