Veda N. Giri, MD, presented “Virtual Genetics Board for Enhancing Knowledge and Practice of Prostate Cancer Genetic Testing – The ENGAGEMENT Study” for the Grand Rounds in Urology audience in November 2022.
How to cite: Giri, Veda N. “Virtual Genetics Board for Enhancing Knowledge and Practice of Prostate Cancer Genetic Testing – The ENGAGEMENT Study” November 2022. Accessed Jul 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/virtual-genetics-board-for-enhancing-knowledge-and-practice-of-prostate-cancer-genetic-testing-the-engagement-study/
Virtual Genetics Board for Enhancing Knowledge and Practice of Prostate Cancer Genetic Testing – The ENGAGEMENT Study – Summary
Veda N. Giri, MD, Division Chief of Clinical Cancer Genetics at Yale and Assistant Director of Clinical Cancer Genetics at Yale Cancer Center, discusses the virtual genetics board for enhancing knowledge and practice of prostate cancer genetic testing and the ENGAGEMENT study. Dr. Giri establishes that germline testing for prostate cancer (PCA) is central to treatment, screening, and hereditary cancer management. As a result, a knowledge of germline testing and genetic counseling is relevant to a large variety of providers. She explains that a virtual genetics board of multi-disciplinary experts was established to meet this demand; the board offers case-based discussion on many topics from PCA germline testing to genetic counseling. At monthly conferences, the board explores genetic considerations for PCA. Dr. Giri encourages providers of all backgrounds to participate. She explains that the conferences are recorded and encourages participants to take a survey to help refine the board’s approach. Dr. Giri then explains that the ENGAGEMENT explores a spectrum of cases and topics such as germline testing criteria and, importantly, case complexities. Dr. Giri continues by giving a flow chart for an example patient with advanced metastatic disease. Testing criteria, therapeutic options, point of care, and genetic counseling are covered in this treatment plan. Dr. Giri concludes by introducing a 2022 preliminary assessment of the virtual genetics board. She explains there are currently 100 participants in the virtual genetics board, but she encourages providers to join as the board has room for 200 participants. Dr. Giri explores the conclusions of the assessment, where knowledge scores on covered topics increased among participants. Feedback was positive, with 90% favorable responses for usability and usefulness and 83% of the participants reporting that they plan to implement learnings from the virtual genetics board.
For more commentary on practice management from Dr. Giri, visit her faculty page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Veda N. Giri, MD is a medical oncologist specializing in clinical cancer genetics. Dr. Giri is Division Chief of Clinical Cancer Genetics for Yale School of Medicine and Assistant Director of Clinical Cancer Genetics at Yale Cancer Center, where she leads an effort in cancer genetic evaluation for precision medicine, tailored cancer screening, and hereditary cancer assessment.
Dr. Giri has had a focused research interest in developing the field of genetic counseling and genetic testing for inherited prostate cancer. Dr. Giri started the first Men’s Genetic Risk Clinic in the US in 2014 focused on genetic evaluation of inherited prostate cancer in the setting of multidisciplinary care. Dr. Giri also co-chaired the 2017 and 2019 Philadelphia Prostate Cancer Consensus Conferences that addressed development of comprehensive frameworks for genetic evaluation and implementation of genetic testing for prostate cancer. She is the Principal Investigator of multiple grant-funded prostate cancer genetic evaluation studies spanning genetic counseling, genetic testing, disparities, behavioral science, and implementation research. Dr. Giri has vested interest to expand research to address the genetic evaluation needs of cancer patients and community populations.
