“I Do Feel Like a Scientist at Times”: A Qualitative Study of the Acceptability of Molecular Point-Of-Care Testing for Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea to Primary Care Professionals in a Remote High STI Burden Setting

BackgroundPoint-of-care C-reactive protein (CRP) testing of adults with acute respiratory infection in primary care reduces antibiotic prescribing by 22%. The acceptability and impact of CRP testing in children is unknownObjectiveTo determine the acceptability and impact of CRP testing in acutely ill children.DesignMixed methods study comprising an observational cohort with a nested randomised controlled trial and embedded qualitative study.Subjects and settingChildren presenting with an acute illness to general practice out-of-hours services; children with a temperature ≥38°C were randomised in the nested trial; parents and clinical staff were invited to the qualitative study.Main outcomesInformed consent rates; parental and staff views on testing.ResultsConsent to involvement in the study was obtained for 200/297 children (67.3%, 95% CI 61.7% to 72.6%); the finger-prick test might have been a contributory factor for 63 of the 97 children declining participation but it was cited as a definite factor in only 10 cases. None of the parents or staff raised concerns about the acceptability of testing, describing the pain caused as minor and transient. General practitioner views on the utility of the CRP test were inconsistent.ConclusionsCRP point-of-care testing in children is feasible in primary care and is likely to be acceptable. However, it will not reduce antibiotic prescribing and hospital referrals until general practitioners accept its diagnostic value in children.Trial registration numberISRCTN 69736109.

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Public health implications of molecular point-of-care testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in remote primary care services in Australia: a qualitative study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2014-006922 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. e006922-e006922 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

L. Natoli ◽

R. J. Guy ◽

M. Shephard ◽

D. Whiley ◽

S. N. Tabrizi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Primary Care ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Point Of Care Testing ◽

Health Implications ◽

Care Services ◽

Primary Care Services

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Implementation of CRP Point of Care Testing in Primary Care to Improve Antibiotic Targeting in Respiratory Illness (ICAT)

Case Medical Research ◽

10.31525/ct1-nct03855215 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Respiratory Illness ◽

Point Of Care Testing ◽

Antibiotic Targeting

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Point-of-care testing for C-reactive protein in acute cough presentations in primary care

Journal of Paramedic Practice ◽

10.12968/jpar.2020.12.1.cpd1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Simon Searle-Barnes ◽

Peter Phillips

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Point Of Care ◽

Point Of Care Testing ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Acute Cough ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

The United Kingdom ◽

Viral Aetiology ◽

Prescription Rates ◽

The Uk

Acute cough is one of the most common illnesses in the UK, with an estimated 48 million cases per annum. The majority of these presentations are thought to be of viral aetiology and self-limiting in nature, yet some studies report antibiotic prescription rates of approximately 65% in the UK. Clincians' decision-making process can be influenced by both patient expectations and difficulty in differentiating between viral and bacterial aetiologies by clinical examination alone. This article will consider the feasibility, efficacy, benefits and limitations of using point-of-care testing of C-reactive protein within primary care in the United Kingdom to help inform management of acute cough.

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