Medicine is moving from an evidence-based practice model to a precision medicine model or personalized medical care model. According to new research, it no longer makes sense to use evidence that is based on a general group outcome, when we are treating an individual. A new report by the National Academy of Medicine: Caring for the Individual Patient: Understanding Heterogeneous Treatment Effects describes how researchers are looking for new ways to interpret research results for individuals in order to provide more personalized care.
While the big-wigs are hashing out the details, physicians will need to understand the different ways in which genomic health information affects patients and themselves. As future healthcare providers, it is important to be able to interpret direct-to-consumer test results, know what tests to order, and where to find information to keep up-to-date.
Genetic testing:
- NIH GTR: Genetic Test Registry — “The Genetic Testing Registry (GTR®) provides a central location for voluntary submission of genetic test information by providers. The scope includes the test’s purpose, methodology, validity, evidence of the test’s usefulness, and laboratory contacts and credentials. The overarching goal of the GTR is to advance public health and research into the genetic basis of health and disease.”
- AMA direct-to-consumer tests — explains types of tests and interpreting results.
Precision Medicine resources:
- National Academy of Medicine: Toward Precision Medicine: Building a Knowledge Network for Biomedical Research and a New Taxonomy of Disease
- AMA Personalized Medicine Guiding Principles
- AMA CME Courses — Precision Medicine and Genomics: Understanding Implications and Applications
Precision Medicine tools:
- NIH Human Genome Research Institute: Data and Tools — “Researchers at the National Human Genome Research Institute have developed a number of software and analysis tools to help researchers around the world analyze and explore their genomic data. These tools are free and openly accessible to anyone.”
- CRISPR and gene-editing — has been in the news this past year when a Chinese scientist claimed to have created the first “genetically altered babies.”
Revisit our post on the ALL of US program to learn how you can contribute to the data. Peruse the library Genomic collection.
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