Educational strategies on potential prescribers to implement correct use of genomic tests: the Italian experience.

Abstract background Marketing pressures, regulatory policies, clinical guidelines, and consumer’s demand all affect health care providers' knowledge and use of health-related genetic tests sold and/or advertised to consumers. A survey on health care providers’ and consumers’ awareness, perceptions, and use of direct-to-consumer personal genomic tests, conducted in USA in 2008, suggested a strong need for education of health practitioners. A similar survey, administered among Italian general practitioners (GPs), has documented that the 85% of interviewers reported the need for specific training on predictive tests’ prescription. Based on these premises, the Italian Health Ministry has introd…