Genetic literacy among surgeons who manage patients with cancer: a national survey of knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and barriers.

BACKGROUND

The rapid evolution of genetic testing and availability of information has necessitated increased surgeon participation in genetics-related tasks. We sought to characterize knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, and barriers pertaining to genetic literacy among Canadian surgeons who manage patients with a hereditary predisposition to or confirmed cancer.

METHODS

We distributed a Web-based survey to surgeons across Canada from June to December 2023 through relevant surgical societies. We analyzed quantitative and narrative data from the survey descriptively and thematically.

RESULTS

We included 57 participants from 8 provinces (response rate 10%). Many surgeons (28/45, 62%) reported performing risk assessment, but 16% (7/45) reported counselling and 29% (13/45) reported ordering genetic testing. Surgeons reported low confidence in ordering testing and in interpreting and discussing implications of testing results. Most surgeons (35/39, 90%) expressed a desire for improvement in their knowledge and in their confidence in hereditary cancer genetics. Approval and funding for testing, referral to a genetic counsellor or medical geneticist, and availability of genetics clinics were reported as extreme barriers to providing care.

CONCLUSION

Practising surgeons in Canada participate in many genetics-related tasks, but they report low confidence and face barriers to genetic literacy. There is a need and desire for interventions targeting genetic literacy among surgeons in Canada.