Journal Article

How Point-of-Care Testing Could Drive Innovation in Global Health

Jani, Ilesh V, Peter, Trevor F

2013

Overview

In areas of limited resources, point-of-care diagnostic testing is being increasingly used to identify disease, determine prognosis, and monitor treatment. Investments in new diagnostics are starting to improve care. Health systems need to evolve to reap benefits for global health. The investment in health services in low- and middle-income countries has increased substantially in recent years. 1 Such investment has been led by unprecedented efforts to combat major diseases, enabled by the availability of lower-cost and effective drug regimens for treatment and prophylaxis, along with improved vector control. As health services have expanded, so has the demand for diagnostic tests that are essential in identifying patients, determining prognosis, monitoring treatment, and assessing the efficacy of prevention. 2 Classic diagnostic technologies are not well suited to meeting the expanded testing needs. Laboratory tests require complex infrastructure, skilled technicians, and a stable supply of . . .

• Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society
• Subject: Biomarkers / Clinical outcomes / Delivery of Health Care - methods / Delivery of Health Care - trends / Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures - instrumentation / Diagnostic tests / Drug therapy / Global Health / Health services / HIV / Human immunodeficiency virus / Humans / Infrastructure / Innovations / Laboratories / Low income groups / Lymphocytes / Malaria / Microscopy / Patients / Point of care testing / Point-of-Care Systems / Primary care / Regulatory approval / Syphilis / Tropical diseases / Tuberculosis / Wireless networks