Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this practice improvement project was to evaluate a primary care clinic’s implementation of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s (NCCN) genetic testing guideline for hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer, and to make recommendations based on the clinic’s needs. The primary focus was on breast cancer rather than the HBOC syndrome.|Data sources: This project utilized a survey from the National Cancer Institute to determine the clinic’s attitudes and current practice on hereditary risk assessment. An educational component and a key ring of references were developed from the assessment. The key ring was designed to serve as an ongoing resource. A post-survey was conducted 10 weeks following implementation to re-evaluate the clinic’s knowledge.|Conclusions: The educational intervention increased provider knowledge and improved their breast cancer risk assessment.|Implications for practice: Nurse practitioners (NP) need to familiarize themselves with the American Nurses Association’s genetic and genomic competencies to manage individuals with hereditary cancer syndromes. Identification, management, and establishing referral for genetic conditions are necessary in improving patient care regardless of the NP’s specialty. Developing an educational program that meets the individual needs of a clinic can be successful in improving knowledge about BRCA risk assessment.