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

Abstract

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.