Survey finds primary care providers want patients to raise mental health issues so they can provide better overall care
SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Over 83% of primary care providers (PCPs) want more of their patients to talk to them about mental health issues and concerns so they can provide better comprehensive care, according to the latest GeneSight® Mental Health Monitor, a national survey by Myriad Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ: MYGN). Yet results from the spring 2022 survey showed that only 1 in 4 patients had their PCP screened for depression.
More than half of clinicians surveyed do not think patients know that PCPs and nurse practitioners (NPs) are fully trained to diagnose and treat mental health issues.
“When a patient comes into my office, they may not even be aware that their symptoms could indicate depression, anxiety, or another mental health issue,” said Michele Long, a nurse practitioner in Lancaster, Ohio. “It would be great if patients knew they could raise their concerns. However, it is also my responsibility to ask the right questions, either by having my patient undergo a mental health examination or by asking them myself.
More than half of PCPs said they wait to discuss specific mental health conditions like depression and anxiety until a patient raises a concern or until the results of a screening/assessment indicate the need.
“I felt comfortable talking with Michele about my mental health issues because she created a warm and nurturing environment,” said Beth, a patient of Michele Long. “Having her acknowledge my symptoms and acknowledging the struggles I was having — both with my depression and the medications I was taking for it that weren’t working — made me feel validated.”
Treat vs Refer: The Primary Care Challenge
More than six in 10 (63%) MSPs/NPs have increased referrals to mental health specialists over the past two years, despite the shortage of available care.
“Primary care providers are now fighting two battles at once: more and more patients are experiencing mental health issues, but there are fewer specialists available to refer them to,” said Fred Fantazzia, General Manager, Health mental, Myriad Genetics. “PCPs want to provide quality mental health care so their patients can have a better chance at a better quality of life, and the GeneSight test is one tool that can help them do that.”
According to the GeneSight Mental Health Monitor, only 18% of responding primary care prescribers use an available tool like pharmacogenomic testing to inform their mental health medication treatment plan.
Pharmacogenomics (PGx) tests, such as the GeneSight psychotropic test, can help PCPs manage the mental health of their patients. The GeneSight test analyzes clinically important genetic variations that can impact how a patient metabolizes and responds to certain FDA-approved drugs used to treat depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other conditions of mental health. The test is intended to supplement other information considered by a clinician as part of a comprehensive medical evaluation.
Before seeing Michele, Beth saw another doctor who prescribed her medication for depression, but it didn’t help her feel better. in fact, she said “I didn’t feel any emotion.” Michele ordered the GeneSight test for Beth and used the information to change her prescription. Today, Beth says she “feels so much better” and more like herself.
The report provides clinicians with information about drugs that may need dose adjustments, be less likely to work, or have an increased risk of side effects based on a patient’s genetic information.
“Using GeneSight has dramatically reduced the number of referrals I make to other specialists,” said Paul Linson, nurse practitioner at the Good Clinic in Minneapolis. “GeneSight helps me understand the ‘why’: why they may have failed with drugs in the past, why they may need to try a drug again, giving it more time to work.”
About the GeneSight Mental Health Monitor
The GeneSight Mental Health Monitor is a national survey of primary care physicians and nurse practitioners conducted online by ACUPOLL Precision Research, Inc. from August 16-30, 2022. The margin of error in survey results for the total base population at a 95% confidence level. range is +/- 4%
About GeneSight® Test
Myriad Genetics’ GeneSight Psychotropic test is the leading pharmacogenomic test in its class for 64 commonly prescribed medications for depression, anxiety, ADHD and other psychiatric disorders. The GeneSight test can help inform clinicians about how a patient’s genes may impact how they metabolize and/or respond to certain psychiatric medications. Tens of thousands of clinicians have ordered the GeneSight test for more than 2 million patients to receive genetic information unique to each patient. The GeneSight test complements other information considered by a clinician as part of a comprehensive medical evaluation. Learn more at GeneSight.com.
About Myriad Genetics
Myriad Genetics is a leading genetic testing and precision medicine company dedicated to promoting health and well-being for all. Myriad develops and offers genetic tests that help assess the risk of developing a disease or its progression and guide treatment decisions in medical specialties where genetic information can significantly improve patient care and reduce healthcare costs. . Fast Company has named Myriad one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2022. For more information, visit www.myriad.com.
Myriad, the Myriad logo, BRACAnalysis, BRACAnalysis CDx, Colaris, Colaris AP, MyRisk, Myriad MyRisk, MyRisk Hereditary Cancer, MyChoice CDx, Prequel, Prequel with Amplify, Amplify, Foresight, Precise, FirstGene, SneakPeek, Health.Illuminated., RiskScore , Prolaris, UroSuite, GeneSight and EndoPredict are trademarks or registered trademarks of Myriad Genetics, Inc. © 2022 Myriad Genetics, Inc. All rights reserved.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements relating to the benefits of the GeneSight psychotropic test. These “forward-looking statements” are based on management’s expectations regarding future events as of the date hereof and are subject to a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause the results, conditions and actual events differ materially and adversely from those anticipated. These factors include the risks described in the company’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including the company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed on February 25, 2022, as well as any updates of these risk factors filed from time to time in the company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or current reports on Form 8-K.
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