The Australian Public's Awareness, Knowledge and Perspectives Towards Pharmacogenomics: A Nationwide Survey, and Semi-Structured Interviews.

Pharmacogenomics has the potential to improve medication responses for the public; however, its adoption in clinical practice has been slow. Consumer representation and engagement are crucial for pharmacogenomics implementation, since it is their data that is central to testing. This study investigated the Australian public's awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of pharmacogenomics via a mixed-methods approach. Firstly, a cross-sectional survey with a nationally representative sample of 772 members of the Australian general public assessed the frequency of pharmacogenomics awareness, knowledge, perceived benefit and concern. Subsequent semi-structured interviews with 21 members of the Australian public provided deeper insights into perceptions through thematic analysis. Over three-quarters (76.3%) of participants were unaware of pharmacogenomics, while 6.2% categorized themselves as aware and knowledgeable about the topic. Interviews found five major themes: (1) Knowledge and Understanding, (2) Trust, (3) Personalized and Holistic Care, (4) Clinical Utility, and (5) Accessibility. Overall, participants highlighted several key steps for pharmacogenomics integration into clinical practice and to increase awareness. These include the importance of simplifying the terminology, providing education and transparency to overcome apprehension, addressing cost concerns, communicating the value clearly and increasing community engagement.