ROLE OF PHYSICIAN IN SCREENING FOR CARRIERS OF TAY-SACHS DISEASE

Abstract

A screening test for carriers of Tay-Sachs disease was available in Toronto, Canada for more than 6 yr. In that time more than 11,000 Jewish residents were tested. Most requested testing after hearing about the screening program from friends or the media; few were advised by their physicians to be tested. To sample the attitudes of physicians in Toronto towards carrier screening, questionnaire responses were studied from 42 physicians whose practices were composed largely of Jewish patients. Only 31% regularly advised their young adult Jewish patients to have a carrier screening test but 76% said they had patients who asked if they should be tested. Of the 14 (33%) who had had patients with Tay-Sachs disease, 6 did not advise carrier testing. There was a positive correlation between specialty training and support for the screening program. Methods for increasing physician advocacy of these programs are discussed.