Respiratory physicians and clinic coordinators' attitudes to population-based cystic fibrosis carrier screening

Fiona Cunningham; Sharon Lewis; Lisette Curnow; Judith Glazner; John Massie

doi:10.1016/j.jcf.2013.06.009

Respiratory physicians and clinic coordinators' attitudes to population-based cystic fibrosis carrier screening

J Cyst Fibros. 2014 Jan;13(1):99-105. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2013.06.009. Epub 2013 Jul 25.

Authors

Fiona Cunningham¹, Sharon Lewis², Lisette Curnow³, Judith Glazner⁴, John Massie⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3052, Australia.
² Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, 3052, Australia.
³ Genetic Health Services Victoria, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, 3052, Australia.
⁴ Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, 3052, Australia.
⁵ Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3052, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, 3052, Australia; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, 3052, Australia. Electronic address: john.massie@rch.org.au.

PMID: 23891279
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2013.06.009

Abstract

Background: Attitudes of Australian CF healthcare professionals toward population-based cystic fibrosis (CF) carrier screening were examined.

Method: A purpose-designed questionnaire was distributed to 111 respiratory physicians and 30 CF clinic coordinators throughout Australia.

Results: Seventy-one questionnaires (52 physicians and 19 coordinators (46.8%, 63.3% respectively)) were returned. Forty respondents (56.3%) supported population-based carrier screening for CF. Support for screening was associated with rating the factors: carrier risk being 1 in 25 (OR 1.72 (1.12, 2.65)), reassurance when both partners test negative (OR 1.67 (1.12, 2.46)) and the daily treatment regimen for CF patients (OR 1.59 (1.05, 2.42)) as important. Opposition to screening was associated with identifying potential discrimination against carriers as a disadvantage (OR 0.3 (0.12, 0.88)), and limitations of predicting clinical outcomes as a barrier (OR 0.46 (0.25, 0.83)).

Conclusions: There is moderate support for population-based carrier screening for CF by Australian CF healthcare professionals. Perceived barriers to implementation are surmountable.

Keywords: Attitudes; Carrier screening; Cystic fibrosis carrier screening; Genetic screening; Population screening.

MeSH terms

Adult
Attitude of Health Personnel*
Australia
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies*
Cystic Fibrosis / genetics*
Cystic Fibrosis / prevention & control
Female
Genetic Carrier Screening*
Genetic Testing*
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
New Zealand
Nurse Administrators / psychology
Physicians / psychology
Pulmonary Medicine*
Surveys and Questionnaires