Genetic Testing: What Saudi Clinicians Think and Do

Personalized medicine is all about tailoring treatments to each patient's unique needs. But how well do clinicians in Saudi Arabia understand and use genetic testing? This study, spread across the country, aimed to find out. It asked doctors to fill out a questionnaire online about their thoughts and actions regarding genetic tests. The results? A bit of a mixed bag. Around 39% of clinicians said they order genetic tests themselves. But many had worries. Half said there weren't enough guidelines for using these tests, and a similar number fretted about the cost. On the bright side, half of the doctors found that genetic tests changed how they treated patients. And over half said these tests helped them grasp the risks linked to their patients' health issues. So, what's the takeaway? There's a gap between knowing about genetic testing and actually using it in Saudi Arabia. Doctors want more guidance and feel the tests are pricey. To fix this, the study suggests boosting medical education, creating clearer guidelines, and raising patient awareness. All to make personalized healthcare even better.