Making genetic testing easier with smart EHR prompts and outreach
Using Behavioral Economics and Implementation Science to Advance the Use of Genomic Medicine Utilizing an EHR Infrastructure across a Diverse Health System
This project uses electronic health record prompts and patient outreach to help more eligible patients get guideline-recommended genetic testing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169742 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may be offered genetic testing through your normal electronic health record when it's recommended for your condition. The team has built EHR infrastructure that can directly order tests and return results as structured data, and they will use behavioral nudges like EHR defaults and patient priming to prompt clinicians and patients. Implementation science methods will address system, clinician, and patient barriers and explicitly target disparities seen in racial and underserved groups. The project will deploy these tools across the health system and track whether more eligible patients receive and benefit from genomic results.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients within the University of Pennsylvania health system who meet guideline criteria for genetic testing (for example because of family history or specific diagnoses) and who interact with the system's EHR.
Not a fit: Patients who receive care outside the participating health system, lack access to the EHR portal, or whose conditions are not included in the testing protocols may not benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more patients who need genetic testing could receive it sooner, enabling more personalized care and earlier preventive or treatment decisions.
How similar studies have performed: EHR-based 'nudge' interventions have improved other clinical behaviors, but applying these methods specifically to expand genomic testing across a health system is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- University of Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nathanson, Katherine L. — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Nathanson, Katherine L.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.