Table 1 Characteristics of included studies
Primary author (year) | Country | Type of study | Type of POCT | Participants’ experience of using POCTs | Number of participants | Type of primary care clinicians |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Butler (2008) [16] | Wales (United Kingdom) | Semi-structured qualitative interviews | A test to distinguish bacterial from viral infections using a finger-prick blood test | No experience – participants discussed their perspectives on possible introduction of the POCT | 40 | GPs |
Cals (2010) [17] | The Netherlands | Semi-structured qualitative interviews | C-reactive protein POCT for lower respiratory tract infection and other common infections | All participants had been using the POCT for nearly 3 years at the time of interview as part of a randomized trial | 20 | GPs |
Cals (2009a) [18] | The Netherlands | Semi-structured qualitative interviews | C-reactive protein POCT to differentiate serious from self-limiting lower respiratory tract infection | 10 participants had used the POCT for at least two years at the time of interview as part of a randomized trial; 10 participants had no experience | 20 | GPs |
Gillam (1997) [19] | United Kingdom | Semi-structured interviews and a focus group | A range of POCTs including haematology (full blood count, platelets); chemical pathology (sodium, potassium, urea, creatine); glucose, cholesterol; bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase; creatine kinase | Participants worked in a health centre where POCTs were piloted; a nurse took blood samples using venipuncture, they were analysed onsite, and the results were made available to the GP at the end of surgery or immediately if requested | Unknown | GPs |
Glover (2008) [20] | Australia | Group discussions + individual interviews | INR (international normalised ratio) fingerstick test for monitoring patients on warfarin | No experience (this is not stated explicitly but is assumed) | 33 participants in total; unknown how many were GPs and nurses | Hospital pharmacists, specialists, nurses, GPs. We included only the attitudes of GPs and nurses in the review (nurses treated patients in their homes as well as in hospital) |
Stone (2007) [21] | United Kingdom | Semi-structured qualitative interviews | HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin) finger-prick test for patients with type 2 diabetes | Participants took part in a pragmatic, open, randomized controlled trial, where they gave some patients usual care and others POCTs for 1 year | 11 | GPs, practice nurses |
Wood (2011) [22] | Belgium, Hungary, Spain, Wales, Poland, Italy, England, Norway, The Netherlands | Semi-structured qualitative interviews | C-reactive protein POCT to aid management of acute cough/lower respiratory tract infection | Participants from Norway routinely used the POCT; participants from other countries had no experience | 80 | Primary care clinicians |