Computer support helps GPs interpret family histories of cancer

Computer support could enable general practitioners to give patients high quality advice about their genetic risk of breast and ovarian cancer. On p 28 Emery et al report a study, using simulated cases, that compared traditional pen and paper methods with two different computer programsRAGs, a program designed for primary care, and Cyrillic, an established pedigree drawing program designed for clinical geneticists. RAGs resulted in more appropriate management and more accurate pedigrees than both Cyrillic and traditional methods. This study shows the importance of developing software that is appropriate for primary care, and also shows the potential of computer support to help general practitioners be more effective gatekeepers to cancer genetics services.

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Computer support for interpreting family histories of breast and ovarian cancer in primary care: comparative study with simulated cases

Jon Emery, Robert Walton, Michael Murphy, Joan Austoker, Pat Yudkin, Cyril Chapman, Andrew Coulson, David Glasspool, and John Fox
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