Help shape the use of genomic information in adult population healthcare

Why we're doing this research:

The Government has funded Genomics England to deliver a new, long term research study to explore the use of genomics for adults to improve prevention or early detection of ill health. Genomics England is taking its first steps to design this research study, which includes engaging with people in society, in communities, and working in healthcare to shape this.

We would like to understand your views, as a healthcare professional, on using genetic information as part of your work to support better prevention and prediction of ill health or personalised medicine for adults.

This is an innovative area of research so we also want to know when people would feel comfortable with the return of genetic information that may have differing levels of certainty. We are also exploring how findings could be returned, to be used most effectively. If people consent, their genomic data can be stored throughout their lifetime, so we also want to know how they feel about the potential to find out more about their health in future as research develops.

While we want to explore the implications of genomics for adults health at scale in the NHS, we are not exploring reflections on the NHS or genomic services today.

Who we want to hear from:

Healthcare professionals, particularly working in primary care, community care, family history clinics, and delivering public health services such as screening, smoking cessation or weight loss support. This includes GPs, practice nurses, health visitors, community pharmacists and other professionals who may encounter genetic information in their healthcare practice now or in the future.

Why your input matters:

Your insights will directly inform Genomics England's approach to their research study and future work on introducing genomic information into healthcare.

What we'd like to know

Your current familiarity with genomics and genetic testing
If and how you currently use genetic information in your role
Your views on the potential impact of genomics in adult population healthcare
What support you need to help patients understand genetic information

Can you take part?

You can take part if:

You are a healthcare professional working in England who may work with genetic information now or in the future
If you're not sure, that's OK - start the survey and we'll tell you

What you'll be asked:

Your views on using genetic information in healthcare
Your current familiarity with genomics and genetic testing, and how you may be using genetic information in your role
Your views on the potential impact of using genetic information in your role
What support you need to help patients understand genetic information
Some optional background questions about you, including your professional role, the region you work in, your gender, and your ethnicity

Things to know:

You don't have to answer every question
You can stop at any time
You can take breaks (use the same device and browser)
All your information is kept private and secure. How we protect your information.‍
Support is available if you need it
You can request participation confirmation for continuing professional development (CPD)

‍Want updates?

At the end, you can choose to give us your email if you want to:

Be invited to a follow-up online workshop about the use of genetic information in your role (you would be compensated for your time)
Hear about the results
Learn about other similar research projects
Receive participation confirmation email for CPD

This survey should take about 10 minutes to complete.

Close date: 5 January 2026

Please note that the survey takes about 10 seconds to load.

Who's doing this research: Thiscovery and RAND Europe are working together to run this project. Genomics England are funding the project.

This project on Thiscovery is part of a wider programme exploring genomics, involving multiple partners including Hopkins Van Mil and The Social Agency.

For any questions about this research: genomicengagement@randeurope.org

For further details about this project, please read the information below.

Thiscovery and RAND Europe - working together to plan and run this project
Genomics England - funding this research

This project has had RAND Europe Research Ethics Committee approval, ref. RECFO-25013.000.

Learn more about these organisations:

Thiscovery: This survey is hosted on Thiscovery, a secure online platform for health research. Thiscovery is run by THIS Labs, an independent organisation that helps with health research. www.thiscovery.org
‍RAND Europe is a not-for-profit research institute whose mission is to help improve policy and decision making through research and analysis. www.randeurope.org
Genomics England: is a government funded company owned by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), whose vision is a world where everyone can benefit from genomics healthcare. www.genomicsengland.co.uk

How to take part:

Complete a short consent form
Complete the survey about your views on genomics in practice
Optionally, provide some basic information about your professional background, gender and ethnicity
Optionally, provide your contact details to be invited to a follow-up online workshop about genomics (you would be compensated for your time)

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The survey asks you about:

Your current familiarity with genomics and genetic testing
If and how you currently use genetic information in your role
Your views on the potential impact of genomics in primary and community care
What support you need to help patients understand genetic information

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Do I have to answer all questions? No. Skip any you don't want to answer. We get better information if you answer more, but only answer what feels OK to you.

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How long does it take? About 10 minutes. But you can take as long as you need.

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Can I take breaks? Yes. Your answers are saved as you go. Use the same device and browser to continue where you left off.

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Is there a deadline? Yes. The deadline is 5 January 2026.

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Can I change my mind? Yes. You can stop taking part at any time without giving a reason. Email genomicengagement@randeurope.org if you want to withdraw.

Benefits of taking part:

Share your professional perspective on the future of genomics in the NHS
Your insights will directly inform Genomics England's research programme around integrating genomics into primary and community care
Your feedback may help shape training programs, resources, and support services for healthcare professionals
Contribute to ensuring genomics is implemented in ways that work for frontline healthcare professionals
Get an email confirming your participation for your CPD

Possible risks:

The survey may highlight gaps in your knowledge about genomics - this is valuable feedback and reflects the current state of genomics education rather than your individual competence
The survey will take some of your time
Some questions ask you to consider implementation challenges, which might feel frustrating if you already face resource constraints in your role
You can stop anytime if you feel uncomfortable

If you need support:

How we use your answers:

RAND Europe will combine everyone's answers to understand what healthcare professionals think about integrating genomics into routine adult healthcare practice
RAND Europe will write up the findings, alongside findings from other parts of the wider research programme, into a report for Genomics England
Your individual survey responses (with identifying details removed) are used by RAND Europe for their research and analysis
If you have chosen to be contacted for further workshops, RAND Europe may contact you to set this up
The findings will be used by Genomics England to develop their research strategy and approach. These may in the future also inform implementation strategies, training programs, professional resources, and policy recommendations
Research findings may be published in academic journals or reports (with no identifying information)

How you can learn about the results: If you give us your email address, we'll send you a summary of what we found.

Contact Thiscovery at help@thiscovery.org
Contact RAND Europe at genomicengagement@randeurope.org

Help shape the use of genomic information in adult population healthcare

About this research

Before you start

Take part

Project Team

Dr Richard Milne

Jessica Dawney

William Phillips

Got a question?

Information for participants

Who is doing this research?

What does taking part involve?

Benefits and risks

What happens to your answers?

Contact information