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Abstract #161157

Bruce Lin, MPH and Diane Gross, MPH. Office of the Medical Director, March of Dimes Foundation, 1275 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, NY 10605, 914-997-4510, blin@marchofdimes.com

Background: Research indicates knowledge levels of genetics among health care providers is deficient. Yet, primary care professionals such as family physicians may address a variety of genetics issues in their practice before consulting specialists. Objective/purpose: To describe and evaluate usage and trends among registrants to an online genetics education curriculum and resource for nongeneticist health care professionals Methods: Web site usage data, including most popular case studies and selected patient type, from 2004-2006 were summarized. Demographic data including distribution of registered users by self reported occupation along with evaluation results and how users found the site were compiled and compared against usage data. Detailed demographic and usage data from 2004 was also compiled to facilitate ongoing improvements and marketing. Results: During the three year study period, 3,941 unique users registered onto Genetics and Your Practice (GYP)-- a majority were nurses (36.2%), followed by physicians (33.6%). A total of 771 case studies were completed, of which 549 were completed for continuing medical education credit. Among the three modules offered, the topic of Genetic Screening and Testing was most often completed (396/771, 51.4%). In 2004, users tended to be female, aged 37.8 years, and reported their primary patients were preconceptional or prenatal clients. Discussion/conclusions: Genetics and Your Practice (GYP) has modestly reached the target audience of primary care professionals. Additional targeted marketing is needed to attract new users and engage current users to return on a regular basis to increase their knowledge and practice around genetics in the primary care setting.

Learning Objectives:

• describe typical users and identify unexpected groups that have registered to an online genetic education tool for health care professionals;
• identify how the curriculum has improved genetics literacy among primary care professionals;
• recognize how usage data can be utilized to understand the current audience’s needs and incorporated into future marketing approaches

Keywords: Genetics, Health Literacy

Related Web page: www.marchofdimes.com/gyponline

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.