103 research outputs found
Misuse (and abuse?) of the concept of empowerment. The case of online offer of predictive direct-to-consumer genetic tests.
No full textUsing the field of direct-to-consumer genetic tests as a case in
point, this paper argues against the misuse of the term empowerment,
and calls for a regulation of its usage. The misleading assumption
under certain current usages of the concept of empowerment is that it
is enhanced by the provision of health information. While the information-
empowerment correlation is misleading, if not wrong, the feeling
of being empowered imposes an increasing burden of critical thinking
on those people (patients and consumers) who have to evaluate that
information and act for the benefit of their health
Vendita dei test genetici online: esempio di empowerment o di “distrazione” del concetto di prevenzione?
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Internet-Based Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing: A Systematic Review.
No full textBackground: Direct-to-consumer genetic tests (DTC-GT) are easily purchased through the Internet, independent of a physician referral or approval for testing, allowing the retrieval of genetic information outside the clinical context. There is a broad debate about the testing validity, their impact on individuals, and what people know and perceive about them.
Objective: The aim of this review was to collect evidence on DTC-GT from a comprehensive perspective that unravels the complexity of the phenomenon.
Methods: A systematic search was carried out through PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Embase, in addition to Google Scholar according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist with the key term “Direct-to-consumer genetic test.”
Results: In the final sample, 118 articles were identified. Articles were summarized in five categories according to their focus on (1) knowledge of, attitude toward use of, and perception of DTC-GT (n=37), (2) the impact of genetic risk information on users (n=37), (3) the opinion of health professionals (n=20), (4) the content of websites selling DTC-GT (n=16), and (5) the scientific evidence and clinical utility of the tests (n=14). Most of the articles analyzed the attitude, knowledge, and perception of DTC-GT, highlighting an interest in using DTC-GT, along with the need for a health care professional to help interpret the results. The articles investigating the content analysis of the websites selling these tests are in agreement that the information provided by the companies about genetic testing is not completely comprehensive for the consumer. Given that risk information can modify consumers’ health behavior, there are surprisingly few studies carried out on actual consumers and they do not confirm the overall concerns on the possible impact of DTC-GT. Data from studies that investigate the quality of the tests offered confirm that they are not informative, have little predictive power, and do not measure genetic risk appropriately.
Conclusions: The impact of DTC-GT on consumers’ health perceptions and behaviors is an emerging concern. However, negative effects on consumers or health benefits have yet to be observed. Nevertheless, since the online market of DTC-GT is expected to grow, it is important to remain aware of a possible impact
Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Test on the Internet: Where Are We Going? A Systematic Review.
No full textThe impact of communication theory in the context of engineering curricula. The academic year 2003-2004 at the Politecnico of Milano (Como Campus)
No full textThe paper explores the features of three courses on communication introduced in the curriculum of engineering students of the Politecnico di Milano (Como Campus). The description of the courses is followed by an evaluation, which provides insight both on the utility of the experience, and on future developments of the programme
The internet and health promotion: a content analysis of the official websites of Italian Public Health Authorities
No full textLe Aziende Sanitarie Locali italiane nella rete del web: analisi dei siti ufficiali in termini di caratteristiche tecniche, interattività, servizi e contenuti di promozione della salute
No full textInternet come nuova modalità di accesso ai farmaci : tutela del paziente e della qualità del farmaco
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