Blogger's Note: in the absence of the full paper ($$$) conclusions should be viewed with caution (eg. detailed reasons, albeit summarized in the abstract...) because....the conclusion do not make sense.
Please post a message IF this paper is available elsewhere in open text publishing format.
BACKGROUND:
Genetic
counseling and testing is recommended for women at high but not average
risk of ovarian cancer. National estimates of physician adherence to
genetic counseling and testing recommendations are lacking.
METHODS:
Using a vignette-based study, we
surveyed 3200 United States family physicians, general internists, and
obstetrician/gynecologists and received 1878 (62%) responses. The
questionnaire included an annual examination vignette asking about
genetic counseling and testing. The vignette varied patient age, race,
insurance status, and ovarian cancer risk. Estimates of physician
adherence to genetic counseling and testing recommendations were
weighted to the United States primary care physician population.
CONCLUSION:
Physicians reported that t
hey would refer many average-risk women and would not refer many high-risk women for genetic counseling/testing. Intervention efforts, including promotion of accurate risk assessment, are needed.
