PulseExploreJournal ClubDebatesTrendingResearchersJournals
Instagram
HomeExploreJournal ClubTrending
Synapse
⌘+K
Synapse
January 22, 2026The Pharmacogenomics Journal3 citationsOpen Access

Pharmacogenomics to optimise psychotropic prescribing: a survey of mental health professionals’ perceptions, knowledge, and educational needs

View Full Paper
DPDaniele PanconesiSMStephen MurtoughMCMarius Cotic

Key Points

  • Assess mental health professionals' perceptions and knowledge regarding pharmacogenomics and identify educational needs.
  • Conducted a survey of 128 mental health clinicians in England
  • Used an adapted version of the U‐PGx Clinician's Questionnaire
  • Evaluated attitudes, knowledge, and training experiences regarding pharmacogenomics
  • Clinicians showed positive attitudes towards pharmacogenomics testing
  • Only 6% answered all knowledge questions correctly
  • Barriers included lack of familiarity with pharmacogenomics concepts
  • Preferred learning formats included accredited workshops and patient cases

Abstract

Abstract A survey was conducted to determine attitudes, knowledge, and educational needs of mental health professionals regarding pharmacogenomics. We recruited 128 clinicians working in mental health in England, and we assessed their experiences using an adapted version of the “U‐PGx Clinician’s Questionnaire”. Responding clinicians had positive attitudes towards pharmacogenomics testing, although they lacked confidence in ordering and interpreting tests, for which most had never received any formal training. Only 6% of clinicians answered all 4 knowledge testing questions correctly, and barriers to clinical implementation included lack of familiarity and knowledge for several pharmacogenomics concepts, such as drug metabolism and genetics, as well as needing support from their working institution. Looking ahead, we found that accredited workshops and patient cases were preferred learning formats, and we suggest tailored education programmes to enable mental health professionals to apply pharmacogenomics in clinical practice.

Ask AI
Helpful
Bookmark
Share
View Full Paper

Cite This Study

Panconesi et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6971bdad642b1836717e2540https://doi.org/10.1038/s41397-025-00394-x
Ask AI
Helpful
Bookmark
Share
View Full Paper