In support of the overall project, our Human Practices sub team further explored investigating the logistics behind the use of our product based on previous related products. Through a rigorous review from former studies and the literature, we were able to address questions and concerns that may arise regarding the application of our product within and beyond the clinical setting. All in all, our research and the questions that we have considered regarding the implementation of our product, has led us to justify its market potential.
A healthy gut microbiome is integral to healthy living, thus it’s no surprise that physicians and health care workers would be interested in the microbiome from both research and clinical perspectives. A microbiome test is a test that measures the amount of microbes, such as bacteria, parasites, yeast and viruses, in the case of our project, the testing would be done using a stool sample. There are two types of tests, ones done in a clinical setting such as a doctor’s office or an at-home kit, however oftentimes at-home kits are less reliable due to user error or non-compliance. In both cases, the top of the stool is scraped and the sample is sent to a laboratory[1]. In the laboratory, either the fecal matter is tested for illness markers or the DNA is extracted to study the microbes present (dead or alive). In this case, the extracted DNA bacteria can be grown, and this bacteria informs the laboratory technician about the bacterial composition of the microbiomeIf the bacteria is found to cause disease, the information will be relayed to the patient[2].
In a clinical setting, gut microbiome testing is carried out when the patient presents with symptoms of gut disruptions and issues digesting, this may include heartburn, gas, diabetes, obesity, IBD (irritable bowel disease) and mental illness[1].
With an increase in mental health awareness over the past two decades, the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness has seen a shift in its approach[3]. Traditional clinical interviews now work in tangent with technological innovations, data collection, and genetic research, to help assess patients for risk of developing mental illness and subsequently, the appropriate treatment. Mental health support has new frontiers that have made it only more accessible to individuals, but likewise there is still much uncertainty when it comes to privacy, misinformation, and effectiveness[4].
When assessing the marketplace, and what mental health information related products are available to consumers, digital technologies such as apps and wearable devices lead the current trends[4]. Because they address barriers to traditional treatment such as availability, cost, and consistency, digital care is for many, the most convenient choice. Current app development encompasses aspects of care such as symptom tracking, where data is collected via built in sensors and behavioural changes are assessed for patterns prevalent in episodes[4]. A study conducted in 2020, monitored behavioural and physiological changes in individuals via wrist sensors for 8 weeks, combined with 6 clinical interviews, and found moderate accuracy in estimated changes in depressive symptoms and severity[5]. Studies continue to show how mobile devices can assist diagnosis through features like heart rate and activity, while patients are at home. Other apps also address self-management/care, which use user inputted information to develop strategies, plans, and advice for users. Products also extend to human interaction by providing virtual care through connecting users with health care providers.
Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Ancestry Testing (DTC-GAT) is another product available on the market that utilizes at-home test kits to provide clinicians with results they can incorporate into their practice of psychotherapy[3]. While family history may present a better understanding of an individual’s risk factors in terms of mental illnesses, gene variants can provide an outlook on the extent of an individual’s risk of developing strongly associated mental disorders[6], as well as provide guidelines for medications. Companies such as Inagene(™) and GeneSight(®) offer personalized at-home Mental Health test kits that use an at-home, 5-minute cheek swab test to identify gene variants in an individual’s DNA to predict their response to medications used in the treatment of common mental health conditions[7]. While these genetic tests may assist in predicting the risk of developing mental illnesses, it is not accurate due to uncertainty of gene variations and their association with and contribution to mood disorders[6]. There is research being done, like our project, to identify various genetic markers that are strongly associated with mental illnesses. However, at-home genetic testing offers an additional perspective to a clinical setting and works in tangent with other factors to determine a diagnosis and treatment. At-home genetic testing is also interesting to consider from the perspective of the end-users, as many people are willing to take samples of bodily fluids and submit them in order to receive personalized health information–which is applicable to our project despite the difference in most typical use.
While the marketplace offers several options for individuals to learn more about their mental health, there is still room for improvement. Research like our project will work to further determine biomarkers that can assist traditional diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses and help make microbiome testing more accessible.