A Two Year Study on Medical Students’ Attitudes and Perceptions of Medical Genetics Before and After a Medical Genetics Course

V.C. Thurston*, M.A. Bell, P.S. Wales, L.J. Torbeck and J.J. Brokaw

Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202 U.S.A.

Purpose

Relatively little is known about medical students’ attitudes toward genetics and its relevance to clinical practice.  This project surveyed two consecutive classes of second-year medical students prior to and following a required course in medical genetics.  Students and faculty will gain insights into students’ attitudes toward genetics and if their attitudes change following a formal course. 

Methods

Two hundred eighty-six students were asked to complete a web-based survey during the first week of the medical genetics course at the Indianapolis campus of the IU School of Medicine.  Students were again asked to complete the same survey during the last week of class.  A third party maintained the survey website and linked the pre- and post-survey data using a coded identifier unknown to the principal investigator. Attitudes about genetic testing, stem cells, and cloning were analyzed using McNemar’s test. 

Results

A review of the data following the second year of the project (n=233, 81% response rate) demonstrated that students’ perceptions changed in the following areas:  presymptomatic testing of children, directive vs. nondirective counseling, and cloning.  Students’ attitudes regarding the use of stem cells did not change, with approximately 75% supporting the use of stem cells in research and medical treatment, and 25% opposed.

Conclusions

These findings may lead to curricular modifications and a national discussion of medical students’ perceptions of genetics that may result in physicians being better prepared to discuss genetics with their patients.