Implementation of pharmacogenetic testing in pediatric oncology: barriers and facilitators assessment at eight Canadian academic health centres

Abstract

Pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing can enhance drug safety, improve efficacy, and reduce the risk of toxicity. However, the implementation of PGx testing in Canadian pediatric oncology centers has been limited. To address this gap, the aim of this study was to assess the barriers and facilitators to implementing PGx testing for three oncology drugs in eight Canadian pediatric oncology centers and identify strategies that could be used to support PGx testing implementation. We used semi-structured interviews to identify barriers and facilitators to PGx testing and identified evidence-based strategies for PGx testing implementation through a mapping process that utilized the Theoretical Domains Framework, the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and the Behavior Change Wheel. We identified 38 facilitators and 26 barriers to implementation of PGx testing and mapped these to 6 implementation strategies.