Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41992272›Full record

SynthesisBMC medical ethics2026

Determinants of willingness to share personal genomic data: a systematic review focused on health literacy.

Marleen Schmeiss, Renate Schramek

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC medical ethics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Marleen SchmeissDepartment of Health Sciences, Bochum University of Applied Sciences, Bochum, Germany. marleen.schmeiss@hs-bochum.de.
Renate SchramekDepartment of Health Sciences, Bochum University of Applied Sciences, Bochum, Germany.

Funding

NIH National Institutes of Health
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGenomic medicine increasingly depends on patients' willingness to share genomic and medical data. While data sharing supports advances in personalised care, it also raises ethical and social concerns related to privacy, trust and participation. Understanding these factors requires attention to patients' health literacy and their capacity to interpret and act upon genomic information.

methodsA systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines to identify empirical studies published between 2015 and 2025 that explored patients' understanding of genomic information and their willingness to share data. Searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus. Eligible studies included qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods designs. Findings were synthesised thematically and Nutbeam's model of health literacy was used in the discussion to interpret the results.

resultsFifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Participants demonstrated basic understanding of genetic terms but limited knowledge of data infrastructures and governance. Trust was a central factor influencing willingness to share data, often compensating for limited genomic literacy. Moral and altruistic motives encouraged engagement, whereas financial considerations played a minor, context-dependent role.

conclusionsData sharing in genomic medicine relies on more than factual knowledge. Strengthening health literacy through transparent, dialogue-based, and participatory approaches can promote informed, autonomous, and ethically responsible participation in genomic research.

Indexed as

Genomic MedicineGenomicsHealth LiteracyInformation DisseminationAltruismHumansMotivationTrustData GovernanceGenomic Data SharingHealth LiteracyPatient Perspectives

Identifiers

PMID41992272
PMCPMC13109877

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.