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Knowledge, Attitude, Future Expectations, and Perceived Barriers of Medical Students and Physicians Regarding Pharmacogenomics in Jordan
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  • Abdallah Alzoubi,
  • Hashem Kana'an,
  • Dua'a Alhazaimeh,
  • Salam Gharaibeh,
  • Tareq Mukattash,
  • Khalid Kheirallah
Abdallah Alzoubi
Jordan University of Science and Technology

Corresponding Author:aaalzoubi28@just.edu.jo

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Hashem Kana'an
Jordan University of Science and Technology
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Dua'a Alhazaimeh
Jordan University of Science and Technology
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Salam Gharaibeh
Jordan University of Science and Technology
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Tareq Mukattash
Jordan University of Science and Technology
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Khalid Kheirallah
Jordan University of Science and Technology
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Abstract

Background: Pharmacogenomics (PG) is a modern tool of personalizing treatment protocols to improve the efficacy and safety of drug prescriptions. These benefits are offset by a slow uptake in clinical application due to a host of physician factors, patient factors, and/or health system factors. Our study, thus, aimed to determine the knowledge, attitude, future expectations, and perceived barriers of medical students and physicians in Jordan regarding PG testing. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between February-August 2019. Physicians and senior medical students from academic and non-academic institutions in North Jordan (n=424) were surveyed. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was designed and piloted for the purpose of the study. A scoring system for each dimension assessed was calculated and presented using means. Mean scores were compared by sociodemographic and professional variables. Results: The response rate was 70.7%. The mean total PG knowledge score (±SD) was 5.42 (±1.51) out of 10, with a significantly higher mean among respondents aged ≥30 years (5.21 ± 1.62) compared to those <30 years-old (5.54 ± 1.43; p= 0.03). The mean total PG attitude score was 21.18 (±2.58) out of 24, with significant differences by seniority levels evident (p= 0.03). The future expectations of PG among our sample were high, with a mean score of 10.44 (±1.64) out of 12. The top three perceived barriers in applying PG were the high cost, lack of clinical guidelines, and limited knowledge and awareness. Conclusion: Physicians and medical students in Jordan have low overall knowledge, albeit strongly positive attitude and future expectations toward PG, despite the perceived high cost and lack of clinical guidelines. Thus, we strongly recommend adopting a comprehensive educational strategy that aims to integrate PG concepts into medical curricula, and promote the culture of continuous medical education about PG among practitioners.
25 Jun 2020Submitted to International Journal of Clinical Practice
26 Jun 2020Submission Checks Completed
26 Jun 2020Assigned to Editor
07 Jul 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
16 Jul 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
26 Jul 20201st Revision Received
30 Jul 2020Submission Checks Completed
30 Jul 2020Assigned to Editor
30 Jul 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
05 Aug 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
06 Aug 2020Editorial Decision: Accept
Jan 2021Published in International Journal of Clinical Practice volume 75 issue 1. 10.1111/ijcp.13658