Abstract
The ageing population and growing demand for patient-centred healthcare continues to challenge the efficiency of healthcare systems. A format of diagnostic tests that can potentially increase the efficiency of the healthcare system is point-of-care (POC) testing, which is performed nearby the patient, usually needs only a small volume of blood, and provides test results at the time of the clinical decision making. When properly utilized, accurate POC tests can improve patient outcomes and increase the efficiency of health care by providing test results rapidly, resulting in earlier treatment decisions without having to wait for results from a central laboratory.
In this research, the health economic evidence and organizational factors explaining the slow adoption of POC testing in primary care are investigated and insight into factors that can improve the potential use and impact of POC testing are provided. The thesis covers three themes, namely (i) the current evidence supporting the implementation of POC testing, (ii) whether the current organization of healthcare systems are capable of supporting the implementation of POC testing and (iii) the perception of end-users (regarding convenience) and the potential health and economic impact of novel diagnostic devices in primary care.
The findings from this research suggest that there is high-quality evidence available to support the implementation of POCT, even though this evidence might not always be relevant to those who are going to use the test or to the stakeholders and policy-makers responsible for wide-scale implementation. This research also found that the healthcare systems currently in place, often fail to provide sufficient support to the healthcare providers who want to make use of POCT. In order to encourage the wide-scale implementation of POCT, improved communication- and leaderships structures needs to put in place that are dedicated to the roll-out and management of healthcare innovations such as POCT. With enough support available, healthcare providers will be more inclined to make use of innovative health technologies, and therefore positively contribute to the patient’s experience in the healthcare system.
In this research, the health economic evidence and organizational factors explaining the slow adoption of POC testing in primary care are investigated and insight into factors that can improve the potential use and impact of POC testing are provided. The thesis covers three themes, namely (i) the current evidence supporting the implementation of POC testing, (ii) whether the current organization of healthcare systems are capable of supporting the implementation of POC testing and (iii) the perception of end-users (regarding convenience) and the potential health and economic impact of novel diagnostic devices in primary care.
The findings from this research suggest that there is high-quality evidence available to support the implementation of POCT, even though this evidence might not always be relevant to those who are going to use the test or to the stakeholders and policy-makers responsible for wide-scale implementation. This research also found that the healthcare systems currently in place, often fail to provide sufficient support to the healthcare providers who want to make use of POCT. In order to encourage the wide-scale implementation of POCT, improved communication- and leaderships structures needs to put in place that are dedicated to the roll-out and management of healthcare innovations such as POCT. With enough support available, healthcare providers will be more inclined to make use of innovative health technologies, and therefore positively contribute to the patient’s experience in the healthcare system.
| Original language | English |
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| Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
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| Award date | 12 May 2022 |
| Place of Publication | Enschede |
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| Print ISBNs | 978-90-365-5368-1 |
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| Publication status | Published - 12 May 2022 |