Gaps in understanding of DRM testing among patients and providers
Most patients reported a lack of awareness of DRM testing and had not previously experienced one being conducted for themselves or their children (for the caregivers). Notably, some patients indicated that clinic staff had not informed them that their samples were undergoing DRM testing. Patients reported only hearing about the DRM test results and next steps regarding their care after the results were back. In contrast, most providers reported familiarity with DRM testing through staff trainings, though some never received any formal training on DRM testing outside of the study. These providers expressed basic understanding of why and for whom DRM testing was conducted. However, these providers also acknowledged key limitations in in-depth understanding of DRM testing—such as knowing when to request a test, how to counsel patients based on their results, and how to make appropriate clinical decisions that adhere to the results—reporting that they had limited exposure to DRM testing or that they did not retain information they had previously received regarding DRM testing because their exposure to DRM testing outside of the study was so infrequent.