Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents’ Assessment of Clinical Genetics Competence [3I

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Although OB-GYNs must increasingly deal with genetic issues, the adequacy of their education in genetics is unknown. We investigated residents’ sources of genetics information and their perceived knowledge and comfort level with 13 established core genetics competencies, as well as common genetics issues. METHODS: A 28 question survey was generated to query resident education generally and genetics education specifically. An invitation was sent to all ACGME Program Directors, asking them to forward the online survey to their residents. Data was collected and analyzed using Qualtrics Software. RESULTS: 195 residents from 51/292 programs (17.5%) participated in the study. Residents uniformly reported high perceived importance of counseling patients about specific genetic issues: Fragile X syndrome (171, 99%), cancer genetics (172, 100%), prenatal screening (170, 99%), and interpreting cell free DNA results (168, 98%). However, a majority of residents reported having good/very good knowledge level of only 3 of 13 genetics core competencies: chromosome abnormalities (87, 51%), prenatal screening testing (68, 40%) and taking family history (81, 47%). The majority reported fair, poor, or very poor knowledge of preconception counseling; multifactorial, mendelian, and non-mendelian inheritance; single gene disorders; population genetics; screening at-risk populations; cancer and molecular genetics; and constructing a pedigree. Residents reported obtaining clinical genetics information primarily from guidelines and practice bulletins (108, 63%), although 30% (52) of residents reported no good source of clinical genetics information. CONCLUSION: OB-GYN residents perceive their knowledge of genetics to be inadequate, and are unaware of appropriate sources for genetics information. Resident genetics education must be improved.