Understanding and perception of direct‐to‐consumer genetic testing in Hong Kong

Understanding and perception of direct‐to‐consumer genetic testing in Hong Kong

Direct‐to‐consumer genetic testing (DTCGT) is gaining popularity in Hong Kong (HK). As DTCGT forgoes specialist medical involvement, healthcare professionals have raised concerns regarding its validity, utility, and the public's ability to interpret DTCGT results. Thus, genetic counseling (GC)...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of genetic counseling Vol. 30; no. 6; pp. 1640 - 1648
Main Authors: Hui, Vivian C. C., Li, H. C., Chow, Josh H. K., Ng, Chris S. C., Lui, Constance Y. W., Fung, Jasmine L. F., Mak, Christopher C.Y., Chung, Brian H. Y., Lau, Kui Kai
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-12-2021
Subjects:
Adult
decision making
Direct-To-Consumer Screening and Testing
direct‐to‐consumer genetic testing (DTC)
Disease management
Genetic Counseling
genetic literacy
Genetic screening
Genetic testing
Genetic Testing - methods
Genomics
Health care
Helping behavior
Hong Kong
Humans
Medical personnel
Perception
Popularity
Understanding
Usefulness
Hong Kong
Hong Kong China
China
genetic counseling
direct-to-consumer genetic testing (DTC)
genetic literacy
decision making
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Summary:Direct‐to‐consumer genetic testing (DTCGT) is gaining popularity in Hong Kong (HK). As DTCGT forgoes specialist medical involvement, healthcare professionals have raised concerns regarding its validity, utility, and the public's ability to interpret DTCGT results. Thus, genetic counseling (GC) is recommended to facilitate understanding of DTCGT. This study aimed to investigate HK public's perception toward DTCGT and the importance of GC in DTCGT. A total of 304 HK adults were invited to complete a 37‐item survey online. Participants’ genomic literacy, understanding and attitude toward DTCGT and GC, and responses to a mock DTCGT scenario were assessed. 48% of participants were aware of DTCGT while 82% indicated an interest. 30% of participants were aware of GC services in HK; 49% were interested in GC services for understanding DTCGT results. Participants scored on average 7.6/11 in the genomic sequencing knowledge scale and were weak in limitations of genomic testing. In the mock DTCGT scenario, 73% of participants expressed concern with the positive results initially. After being explained limitations of DTCGT, 40% of participants reported decreased concern. Reduced perceived helpfulness in medical management and lifestyle modification were also reported by 35% and 27%, respectively. This HK population demonstrated a high level of awareness and interest in DTCGT. As potential DTCGT users, they might experience excess concern and overestimate the usefulness of positive DTCGT results, particularly in medical management. The importance of GC to educate and guide interpretation of DTCGT results is supported; yet the awareness and access of GC services is inadequate in HK.
Bibliography:Vivian CC Hui, HC Li and Josh HK Chow should be considered joint first authors
Brian HY Chung and Kui Kai Lau should be considered joint senior authors
ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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content type line 23
ISSN:1059-7700
1573-3599
DOI:10.1002/jgc4.1430