Pharmacist-led point-of-care services

Abstract

Introduction: • The role of pharmacists has evolved to include patient-focused activities, administrative duties, and public health responsibilities. • Point-of-care testing (POCT) is a diagnostic test performed outside a lab, providing quick and accurate results for managing chronic diseases and acute infections.

Aims: • Identify POCTs available and offered within the community pharmacy setting. • Examine opportunities presented by POCT. • Study implementation of different POCTs considering guidelines, devices used, standardization, need, and pharmacoeconomics aspects.

Background: Point-of-care testing (POCT) provides rapid diagnostic results outside traditional laboratory settings, offering access to diagnosis and monitoring of biological parameters. The elaboration of POCT in community pharmacies supports the provision of pharmaceutical care service increasing opportunities for diagnosis, patient monitoring, and personalised patient management. POCT reduces waiting time and the need for patient referral to centralised laboratory services. Pharmacist-led POCT within a collaborative multidisciplinary practice enhances detection and management of non-communicable diseases. Challenges with POCT services include calibration, standardisation, and financial sustainability, all of which must be addressed to ensure robust service. The aim of this study was to ident ify available POCT services in community pharmacies.