General Practitioners’ knowledge and use of genetic counselling in managing patients with genetic cardiac disease in non-specialised settings

There have been over 40 cardiac diseases with a genetic cause identified to date. The management of most genetic cardiac diseases (GCDs) now necessitates multidisciplinary care, including the provision of genetic counselling. This study investigated the knowledge and management of GCDs by General Practitioners (GPs). Questionnaires were mailed out to 685 doctors working in general practice in Tasmania, Australia, with 144 responses (21 %) received. Results showed that the majority (77.8 %) of the responding doctors are managing at least one patient with GCD in their practice. However, GPs identified having limited confidence in the appropriate management of these conditions and indicated that they are very dependent on guidance from a cardiologist, including whether to refer a patient to genetic counselling. To our knowledge, this is the first Australian study that looks at the care of patients with GCD in the primary care sector. The knowledge gained will help us provide more appropriate care for patients who do not have immediate access to specialised services, particularly those outside metropolitan areas, and provides evidence for what resources can be offered to doctors working in general practice to help provide quality care for these patients.