Public preferences regarding adoption of personal genomic testing based on best–worst scaling

Abstract

AimsThis study analyzes public preferences for the adoption of personal genomic testing (PGT) to determine the important attributes for PGT adoption and to qualitatively compare their relative importance. MethodsThe best–worst scaling method is used for the analysis by using 13 attributes related to adoption of PGT. A web-based survey was conducted to collect data from 604 respondents in South Korea in November 2017. ResultsThe results show that accuracy of test is the most important attribute with the following order of importance: accuracy of test > risk of disease > aim of test, insurance reimbursement/coverage, price, burden of disease, testable items > privacy protection > method of collecting sample, person explaining the results, medical intervention availability, test accessibility > time required for completing test. ConclusionsFrom a consumer perspective, the findings suggest that it is important how PGT can accurately provide information on various high-risk, high-burden diseases, even though there are no known preventive or treatment measures. Further, the price of PGT is burdensome, and therefore, insurance coverage is important. If accurate and reliable information is provided, how to request PGT and who explains the result are not important.