Rapid results and long-term gain: The benefits of PoCT

Point-of-care testing (PoCT) delivers more than just fast results, with a new study showing it can have longer-term gains for patients.
 
Published in BMC Public Health, the study analysed evidence from 13 studies globally, involving more than 21,000 people, to examine whether PoCT improves overall health literacy.
 
Researchers at Flinders University explored the impact of PoCT on non‑communicable diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, with POC measures limited to lipids and coagulation, and primarily blood glucose and HbA1c.
 
Results show that following PoCT, patients reported having an enhanced understanding of their health, felt motivated to make positive lifestyle changes, and experienced increased confidence in self-management.
 
Some studies also reported reduced anxiety and improved quality of life, particularly when tests were used regularly to monitor long‑term conditions such as diabetes or blood clotting disorders, the researchers explained.
 
This improved understanding of their health and often translated into action, including better medication adherence and improvements in key clinical markers, including lower long‑term blood sugar levels among people with diabetes.
 
For parents of children with diabetes, the study showed they felt more confident managing their child’s condition when they had immediate access to test results.
 
A key driver to the positive impact was patient’s perception that on-the-spot results gave them better access to health information, allowing them to better understand, remember and use what they have learned.
 
Lead author Dr Kelcie Miller from Flinders University’s College of Medicine and Public Health said the key message for GPs is that PoCT may support patient engagement, understanding and confidence in their health, beyond diagnosis and monitoring alone.
 
‘Having immediate test results available during consultations can make health information easier for patients to understand, and create more meaningful conversations about their care,’ she told newsGP.
 
‘GPs may build on their trusted relationships with patients by offering access to more POCT options to help patients feel more informed and involved in managing their health.
 
‘This can be particularly valuable in chronic disease management, where ongoing patient engagement is important for long-term health outcomes.’
 
Dr Miller added that research showed speed and context make a difference, helping to ‘turn test results into knowledge people can actually use.’
 
Dr Gary Deed, Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Diabetes, said this study supports the benefits of PoCT in general practice.
 
‘This really supports the use of PCOT as an educational tool and allows for timely support for self-management planning for chronic diseases such as diabetes,’ he told newsGP.
 
‘The results generated of course need to be incorporated and implemented within a chronic care plan, which makes it ideal to be provided within primary care as the hub of multidisciplinary care of complex illness.
 
However, issues arise with the cost of access to PoCT, Dr Deed said, as it is largely under-funded.
 
This can be barrier in areas where rapid results enhance clinical support, such as rural, remote areas and in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
 
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chronic disease point-of-care testing