Publication:

Bridging genomic medicine and clinical practice: a cross-sectional analysis of knowledge, attitudes, and implementation of genetically tailored pharmacotherapy among doctors in a tertiary care hospital

Background Pharmacogenomics is the study of how genetic variation influences drug response, impacting both efficacy and safety. It explains interindividual differences in drug action sometimes accounting for up to 95% of variability and has roots in discoveries like glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency related haemolysis with primaquine. By enabling personalized medicine, pharmacogenomics can optimize therapy, minimize adverse effects, and guide drug development. Despite its promise, challenges remain in genetic testing validity and defining clinical utility, especially for complex genes like CYP2D6.

Methods This cross-sectional KAP study at Mysore Medical College and Research Institute surveyed doctors using a 25-item validated Google form questionnaire (6 demographic, 6 knowledge, 5 attitude, and 8 practice questions), with digital informed consent and ethical clearance. Data were distributed via WhatsApp groups, cleaned, and analysed using descriptive statistics across all domains.

Results A total of 110 medical professionals participated in the survey. Awareness of the term pharmacogenomic testing was high (87.3%), but self-rated knowledge was mostly poor to fair (61.8%), and familiarity with major resources such as Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium (CPIC) and PharmGKB was limited (>60% reporting poor awareness). Attitudes were largely positive, with more than half agreeing that pharmacogenomic testing can optimize drug choice and dosing and improve efficacy while reducing adverse drug reactions. However, practical use was low: only 12.7% reported institutional test availability and 81.8% had never recommended testing. Most respondents rarely or never discussed pharmacogenomics with patients (65.4%).

Conclusion Overall, a significant gap exists between awareness and implementation, indicating a need for improved education, institutional support, and access to testing.