Genetic Testing for Psychopharmacology: Is It Ready for Prime Time?

Genetic testing in psychiatric practice may be a beneficial adjunct to the nursing toolbox of considerations used to improve patient outcomes. Since 2004, the psychiatric community has used genotyping to personalize medication options for their patients. Although not a definitive or exact science, pharmacogenetic testing for psychopharmacological treatment options offers nurses and their patients insights into potential treatments that will reduce the current trial-and-error prescribing practices and more quickly improve patients' quality of life. The current article guides nurses through the process of conducting genetic testing, interpreting the results, and applying the results in clinical practice using a fictitious case example. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 55(3), 19-23.].