PGx in psychiatry: Patients' knowledge, interest, and uncertainty management preferences in the context of pharmacogenomic testing.

The study used ResearchMatch volunteers, who may be more knowledgeable and active than typical psychiatric patients and may be more likely to seek information than avoid it. The response rate was low compared with volunteers who received the email, but not all emailed volunteers met eligibility. The analysed sample was heavily skewed toward white females with high education, and some participants worked in science or medical professions. The survey measured familiarity rather than knowledge of PGx, so it cannot show how well patients understand the test. The paper notes PGx has had slow translation into mental health practice and has not delivered large-scale improvements in psychiatric drug treatment and safety. The supplied text reports no medication outcomes, adverse-event outcomes, or symptom outcomes.

No author conflicts-of-interest statement is included in the supplied text. The paper says ResearchMatch was supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health as part of the Clinical Translational Science Award program, and the article is listed as NIH extramural research support.

Do not read high patient interest as evidence that pharmacogenomic testing should be used to choose psychiatric medications. The study measured interest and attitudes in 598 mostly white, highly educated volunteers, not medication outcomes, and the paper notes the FDA advised patients not to alter medication or dosage based on genetic test results.