gms | German Medical Science

51. Kongress für Allgemeinmedizin und Familienmedizin

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Allgemeinmedizin und Familienmedizin (DEGAM)

21.09. - 23.09.2017, Düsseldorf

International definition of a point-of-care test in family practice: a modified e-Delphi procedure

Meeting Abstract

  • A. Schols - Maastricht University, Maastricht, Niederlande
  • G. Dinant - Maastricht University, Maastricht, Niederlande
  • R. Hopstaken - Saltro Diagnostic Centre, Utrecht, Niederlande
  • C. Price - Oxford University, Oxford, Vereinigtes Königreich
  • R. Kusters - Twente University, Twente, Niederlande
  • J. Cals - Maastricht University, Maastricht, Niederlande

51. Kongress für Allgemeinmedizin und Familienmedizin. Düsseldorf, 21.-23.09.2017. Düsseldorf: German Medical Science GMS Publishing House; 2017. Doc17degam066

doi: 10.3205/17degam066, urn:nbn:de:0183-17degam0663

Published: September 5, 2017

© 2017 Schols et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. See license information at http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.


Outline

Text

Background: The term point-of-care test (POCT) is often used in medical literature and clinical practice. POCTs in family practice are increasing, yet a widely supported definition in family practice does not exist yet.

Objective: To reach consensus on an international definition of a POCT in family practice.

Methods: We performed a modified international e-Delphi procedure of 4 rounds among expert panel members from different professional backgrounds - family practitioners, laboratory specialists, policymakers, researchers, and manufacturers.

Results: Of 27 panel members from 7 different countries, 26 participated in all rounds. Most panel members were actively involved in POCT research or policymaking and 70% worked in family medicine. After choosing important components, structuring of answers and feedback, the following definition was chosen as best- or second best definition by 81% of panel members: A point-of-care test in family practice is a test to support clinical decision-making, which is performed by a qualified member of the practice staff nearby the patient and on any part of the patient’s body or its derivatives, during or very close to the time of consultation, to help the patient and physician to decide upon the best suited approach, and of which the results should be known at the time of the clinical decision-making.

Discussion: With the increasing use of POCTs in family practice, it is important to have a clear definition that is supported and recognised by several professional fields. The definition emerging from this Delphi study can inform family practitioners, laboratory specialists, policymakers and manufacturers on the most widely supported definition.