If you build it, will they come? A description and evaluation of an online professional genetics education tool

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.