The impact of digital technologies on point-of-care diagnostics in resource-limited settings

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 385-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha Gous ◽  
Debrah I. Boeras ◽  
Ben Cheng ◽  
Jeff Takle ◽  
Brad Cunningham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Point Of Care Diagnostics ◽  
The Impact

Point-of-Care Ultrasound: A Useful Diagnostic Tool in Africa

Praxis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 109 (8) ◽  
pp. 608-614
Author(s):  
Omary Ngome ◽  
Martin Rohacek
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Traumatic Shock ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Work Up

Abstract. In resource limited settings with limited tests and diagnostic tools, most of diagnoses are based on clinical findings, and patients are managed empirically, e.g. with anti-tuberculosis drugs. This article aims at describing the use of point-of-care ultrasound in diagnosing the most important conditions in Africa, in addition to clinical work-up. Different protocols exist for the diagnosis of trauma-related disorders, tuberculosis, schistosomiasis, thromboembolism, causes of dyspnea, and non- traumatic shock. Point-of-care ultrasound might be a beneficial tool in Africa, aiding diagnostics and management of patients with these conditions. However, studies must be done to assess the impact of point-of-care ultrasound on mortality.

scholarly journals Advances in addressing technical challenges of point-of-care diagnostics in resource-limited settings

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
ShuQi Wang ◽  
Mark A. Lifson ◽  
Fatih Inci ◽  
Li-Guo Liang ◽  
Ye-Feng Sheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Point Of Care Diagnostics ◽  
Technical Challenges

scholarly journals Stakeholder Perceptions of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Implementation in Resource-Limited Settings

Diagnostics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Maw ◽  
Brittany Galvin ◽  
Ricardo Henri ◽  
Micheal Yao ◽  
Bruno Exame ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Imaging Modality ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Point Of Care Ultrasound ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Point Of Care Diagnostics ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Imaging Point ◽  
Study Participants

Background: Nearly half of the world lacks access to diagnostic imaging. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is a versatile and relatively affordable imaging modality that offers promise as a means of bridging the radiology gap and improving care in low resource settings. Methods: We performed semi-structured interviews of key stakeholders at two diverse hospitals where POCUS implementation programs had recently been conducted: one in a rural private hospital in Haiti and the other in a public referral hospital in Malawi. Questions regarding the clinical utility of POCUS, as well as barriers and facilitators of its implementation, were asked of study participants. Using the Framework Method, analysis of interview transcripts was guided by the WHO ASSURED criteria for point of care diagnostics. Results: Fifteen stakeholders with diverse roles in POCUS implementation were interviewed. Interviewees from both sites considered POCUS a valuable diagnostic tool that improved clinical decisions. They perceived barriers to adequate training as one of the most important remaining barriers to POCUS implementation. Conclusions: In spite of the increasing affordability and portability of ultrasounds devices, there are still important barriers to the implementation of POCUS in resource-limited settings.

scholarly journals Deep transfer learning-based hologram classification for molecular diagnostics

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung-Jin Kim ◽  
Chuangqi Wang ◽  
Bing Zhao ◽  
Hyungsoon Im ◽  
Jouha Min ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transfer Learning ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Field Of View ◽  
Robust Performance ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Point Of Care Diagnostics ◽  
Diffraction Patterns ◽  
Extensive Computation

ABSTRACTLens-free digital in-line holography (LDIH) is a promising microscopic tool that overcomes several drawbacks (e.g., limited field of view) of traditional lens-based microcopy. However, extensive computation is required to reconstruct object images from the complex diffraction patterns produced by LDIH, which limits LDIH utility for point-of-care applications, particularly in resource limited settings. Here, we describe a deep transfer learning (DTL) based approach to process LDIH images in the context of cellular analyses. Specifically, we captured holograms of cells labeled with molecular-specific microbeads and trained neural networks to classify these holograms without reconstruction. Using raw holograms as input, the trained networks were able to classify individual cells according to the number of cell-bound microbeads. The DTL-based approach including a VGG19 pretrained network showed robust performance even with noisy experimental data. Combined with the developed DTL approach, LDIH could be realized as a low-cost, portable tool for point-of-care diagnostics.

scholarly journals Validation of a point-of-care rapid diagnostic test for hepatitis C for use in resource-limited settings

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 314-315
Author(s):  
James S Leathers ◽  
Maria Belen Pisano ◽  
Viviana Re ◽  
Gertine van Oord ◽  
Amir Sultan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Point Of Care ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Rapid Diagnosis ◽  
Direct Acting Antivirals ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Rapid Diagnosis Test ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
Specificity And Sensitivity ◽  
Hcv Screening ◽  
Direct Acting

Abstract Background Treatment of HCV with direct-acting antivirals has enabled the discussion of HCV eradication worldwide. Envisioning this aim requires implementation of mass screening in resource-limited areas, usually constrained by testing costs. Methods We validated a low-cost, rapid diagnosis test (RDT) for HCV in three different continents in 141 individuals. Results The HCV RDT showed 100% specificity and sensitivity across different samples regardless of genotype or viral load (in samples with such information, 90%). Conclusions The HCV test validated in this study can allow for HCV screening in areas of need when properly used.

scholarly journals Evaluating clinical outcomes of routinely delivered task-shared care for depression in rural Haiti

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra L. Rose ◽  
Ryan McBain ◽  
Jesse Wilson ◽  
Sarah F. Coleman ◽  
Emmanuel Mathieu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
International Health ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Care Organization ◽  
Depression Care ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Resource Limited ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background There is a growing literature in support of the effectiveness of task-shared mental health interventions in resource-limited settings globally. However, despite evidence that effect sizes are greater in research studies than actual care, the literature is sparse on the impact of such interventions as delivered in routine care. In this paper, we examine the clinical outcomes of routine depression care in a task-shared mental health system established in rural Haiti by the international health care organization Partners In Health, in collaboration with the Haitian Ministry of Health, following the 2010 earthquake. Methods For patients seeking depression care betw|een January 2016 and December 2019, we conducted mixed-effects longitudinal regression to quantify the effect of depression visit dose on symptoms, incorporating interaction effects to examine the relationship between baseline severity and dose. Results 306 patients attended 2052 visits. Each visit was associated with an average reduction of 1.11 in depression score (range 0–39), controlling for sex, age, and days in treatment (95% CI −1.478 to −0.91; p < 0.001). Patients with more severe symptoms experienced greater improvement as a function of visits (p = 0.04). Psychotherapy was provided less frequently and medication more often than expected for patients with moderate symptoms. Conclusions Our findings support the potential positive impact of scaling up routine mental health services in low- and middle-income countries, despite greater than expected variability in service provision, as well as the importance of understanding potential barriers and facilitators to care as they occur in resource-limited settings.

Multi-Angle Lensfree Holographic Imaging for 3-D Cytometry on a Chip

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting-Wei Su ◽  
Serhan O. Isikman ◽  
Waheb Bishara ◽  
Derek K. Tseng ◽  
Anthony Erlinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optical Microscopy ◽  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Holographic Imaging ◽  
Essential Tool ◽  
Resource Limited

Optical microscopy is an essential tool for many biomedical applications. Although commonly-used in laboratory settings, conventional optical microscopes are bulky and relatively costly to use in resource-limited settings which partially limit their use in point-of-care applications.

scholarly journals Experiential Learning Curriculum Delivery Approach for Quality Improvement in Resource Limited Settings: Mobile Learning for Point-of-Care Technologies

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (13) ◽  
pp. 158
Author(s):  
Nkosinothando Chamane ◽  
Tivani Phosa Mashamba-Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Service Delivery ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Service Improvement ◽  
Quality Service ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Resource Limited

BACKGROUND: Despite impressive progress that has been made in the provision of health care services to all, the issue of quality service delivery still remains a challenge particularly for point-of-care (POC) diagnostics in resource-limited-settings. Poor competency of primary health care workers in these settings has been shown to be amongst the main contributors to poor quality service delivery. FINDINGS: Participatory-based continuous professional development (CPD) strategies to support technology advancements in health care are recommended. Experiential learning approaches have been shown to be efficient in supplementing traditional teaching methods for both health care students and professionals. These approaches have been shown to further contribute towards continuous skills development and lifelong learning. CONCLUSION: This review therefore provided an overview of literature on experiential learning as one of CPD approaches in relation to health care service improvement in resource-limited setting. In addition, this review has recommended a mobile-based experiential learning approach to help deliver a quality POC technology curriculum to Primary health care-based workers in resource-limited settings.

scholarly journals A Scoping Review Protocol for Supply Chain Management Systems for Point of Care Diagnostics Services: Optimising COVID-19 Testing Capacity in Resource-limited Settings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuhlula Maluleke ◽  
Thobeka Dlangalala ◽  
Alfred Musekiwa ◽  
Kabelo Kgarosi ◽  
Sphamandla Nkambule ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Scientific Journal ◽  
World Health ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Resource Limited Settings ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Resource Limited

Abstract BackgroundRapid and specific diagnostic tests are essential for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing to allow prompt isolation and early treatment initiation if necessary. Currently, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests are the gold standard for SARS-CoV-2 testing but are difficult to implement in resource-limited settings with poor access to laboratory infrastructure. Point of care (POC) testing may be more feasible in resource-limited settings because POC testing is cost-effective, easy to perform, results are rapid, and they can be performed at all levels of healthcare by health professionals with minimal training. To ensure equitable access, it is important that SARS-CoV-2 testing is optimised through well-established supply chain management (SCM). Here we outline a protocol for a scoping review aimed at mapping literature on SCM for POC testing in resource limited settings to guide both future research and the implementation of SARS-CoV-2 POC diagnostics. MethodologyThis scoping review will be guided by an adapted version of the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework. We will search the Medline Ovid, Medline EBSCO, Scopus, PubMed, PsychInfo, Web of Science and EBSCOHost databases. We will search gray literature in the form of dissertations/theses, conference proceedings, websites of international organisations such as the World Health Organisation and government reports. We will include articles reporting evidence published since inception. Language restrictions will not be applied. We will use a search summary table to test the effectiveness of the search strategy. Two reviewers will screen eligible studies using a tool developed for this scoping review. The quality of the included studies will be appraised using the mixed method appraisal tool (MMAT) version 2018. Discussion The proposed scoping review will gather relevant studies on SCM systems for POC diagnostics services globally. We anticipate that this review’s findings will guide future research on SCM systems for POC diagnostics services in resource-limited settings. The results will be published in a scientific journal, presented at relevant conferences and form part of workshops with key stakeholders involved in SCM systems for POC diagnostics services.

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