The purpose of this project was to systematize the use of pharmacogenetic testing (PGT) among psychiatric prescribers. The use of PGT in clinical practice is inconsistent despite the evidence supporting its efficacy (Burke, Love, Jones, & Fife, 2016). The question to be answered is: In patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), how is PGT currently used in clinical practice compared to use after implementation of practice change interventions?

This study was conducted among 4 psychiatric prescribers in a behavioral health clinic. 3 interventions were utilized to change practice. An educational in-service was delivered to address the PGT knowledge gap. A protocol for identifying patients that may benefit from PGT was developed, indicating PGT was warranted for patients with non-remitting moderate to severe MDD and at least 2 medication failures from 2 different classes. Next, a medication failure documentation template and the PGT report were integrated into the EHR. A baseline survey was administered before the in-service, assessing prescriber PGT perceptions and current parameters and barriers for use. Follow-up surveys were administered 3 months post-implementation. Project processes were measured by assessing the rate of medication failure template usage, as well as thePGT EHR upload rate.

A comparison of baseline and follow-up surveys indicated there was little change in prescriber view of test utility, receptiveness, and likelihood of use. This may be attributed to previous experience with testing and to PGT manufacturer education. View of parameters and barriers for use did change. Key parameter for use changes included patient experience of adverse reaction (increase) and only 2 medication failures from the same class (decrease). Key barrier to use changes included time to results (decrease). 3 PGT were completed during the project. All patients met the protocol criteria for testing. None of these patients had medication failures documented using theEHR template; all of the patients did have documentation using each prescriber’s preferred method. 2 of the 3 tests were uploaded to the EHR. The first test completed was not integrated, likely due to support staff becoming accustomed to the new workflow. 117 historical PGT were also integrated into the EHR.

While 16 to 20% of the population meets the criteria for MDD, available treatments achieve symptom remission only 40% of the time (Singh, 2014). Patients who do not achieve remission experience relapse more quickly and are more likely to develop chronic non-remitting MDD (Gaynes, 2016). While the PGT evidence base is still evolving, its use in clinical practice has the potential to improve depression treatment outcomes. This study highlighted continued barriers to PGT use in a practice setting, while implementing key interventions, including PGT use guidelines and EHR integration, to improve its systematic and appropriate use.

No funding.