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

Mental health clinicians had positive attitudes towards pharmacogenomics testing despite lacking confidence in ordering and interpreting tests.

• 128 clinicians working in mental health in England were recruited for the survey.
• An adapted version of the 'U-PGx Clinician's Questionnaire' was used to assess experiences.
• Clinicians lacked confidence in both ordering and interpreting pharmacogenomics tests.
• Most clinicians had never received any formal training in pharmacogenomics.

Clinicians demonstrated poor pharmacogenomics knowledge, with only 6% answering all knowledge testing questions correctly.

• Only 6% of clinicians answered all 4 knowledge testing questions correctly.
• Barriers to clinical implementation included lack of familiarity and knowledge for several pharmacogenomics concepts.
• Specific knowledge gaps included drug metabolism and genetics.
• Clinicians also reported needing support from their working institution as a barrier to implementation.

Accredited workshops and patient cases were identified as the preferred learning formats for pharmacogenomics education among mental health professionals.

• The survey assessed educational needs in addition to attitudes and knowledge.
• Accredited workshops were among the most preferred learning formats reported by respondents.
• Patient cases were also identified as a preferred educational format.
• The authors suggest tailored education programmes to enable mental health professionals to apply pharmacogenomics in clinical practice.

Lack of familiarity with pharmacogenomics concepts and insufficient institutional support were identified as key barriers to clinical implementation.

• Barriers included lack of familiarity and knowledge for pharmacogenomics concepts such as drug metabolism and genetics.
• Needing support from their working institution was cited as a barrier to implementation.
• The study recruited clinicians working in mental health settings in England.
• The findings highlight systemic as well as individual-level barriers to pharmacogenomics adoption.