Integrating Germline Genetics Into Precision Oncology Practice in the Veterans Health Administration: Challenges and Opportunities

Maren T Scheuner; Kenute Myrie; Jane Peredo; Lori Hoffman-Hogg; Margaret Lundquist; Stephanie L Guerra; Douglas Ball

doi:10.12788/fp.0033

Integrating Germline Genetics Into Precision Oncology Practice in the Veterans Health Administration: Challenges and Opportunities

Fed Pract. 2020 Aug;37(Suppl 4):S82-S88. doi: 10.12788/fp.0033.

Authors

Maren T Scheuner¹, Kenute Myrie¹, Jane Peredo¹, Lori Hoffman-Hogg¹, Margaret Lundquist¹, Stephanie L Guerra¹, Douglas Ball¹

Affiliation

¹ is a Professor in Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and the Director of the Clinical Genetics Program, San Francisco US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Health Care System. is a Portfolio Manager for Oncology and Lead for Precision Oncology, Clinical Science Research and Development Service, VA Office of Research and Development is a Genetic Counselor at the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System in California. is Program Manager for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in Durham, North Carolina, and National Oncology Clinical Advisor for the Office of Nurses Services in Washington, DC. is a Nurse Practitioner and is a Staff Physician with the Genomic Medicine Service, VHA Central Office. is an American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Science and Technology Policy Fellow, VA Office of Research and Development.

Abstract

Objectives: The advent of germline testing as a standard-of-care practice for certain tumor types and patients presents unique opportunities and challenges for the field of precision oncology. This article describes strategies to address workforce capacity, organizational structure, and genetics education needs within the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) with the expectation that these approaches may be applicable to other health care systems.

Observations: Germline information can have health, reproductive, and psychosocial implications for veterans and their family members, which can pose challenges when delivering germline information in the setting of cancer care. Additional challenges include the complexity inherent in the interpretation of germline information, the national shortage of genetics professionals, limited awareness and knowledge about genetic principles among many clinicians, and organizational barriers, such as the inability to order genetic tests and receive results in the electronic health record. These challenges demand thoughtful implementation planning at the health care system level to develop sustainable strategies for the delivery of high-quality genetic services in precision oncology practice.

Conclusions: The VA is uniquely positioned to address the integration of germline genetic testing into precision oncology practice due to its outsized role in treating veterans with cancer, training the health care workforce, and developing, testing, and implementing innovative models of clinical care.