A mobile swabbing booth to address Singapore GPs’ concerns about swabber protection: human-centred design during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Health asked Singapore’s private general practitioners (GPs) to perform swab testing in their clinics, but some GPs had concerns about swabber protection. Our aim was to develop a swabbing booth to address these concerns. Methods We developed a prototype with potential GP users using a human-centred design approach and piloted it with 10 GP clinics. The pilot was then extended to 170 GP clinics around Singapore. These GPs were then surveyed on user satisfaction. Results Ninety-three GPs (54%) responded. The majority (75%) practiced in public residential estates in small practices (mean 1.95 doctors). 86% requested the booth to enhance swabber protection. 74% “would recommend” or “would strongly recommend” the booth to colleagues. 79% continue to use the booth to conduct swab tests. 92% liked that it offered swabber protection. 71% liked that the booth created a separate space for swabbing and 64% liked its ease of disinfection. 47% started swabbing only after receiving the booth and 58% said the booth was “important” or “very important” to their decision to participate in swab testing. However, 34% disliked that it took up too much space and the most frequently critiqued area was the gloves. Conclusion The human-centred design approach generated a product that had high user satisfaction, addressed GPs’ concerns of swabber protection and increased GPs’ participation in swab testing. The booth may be useful where GPs are concerned about swabber protection and space is limited.

Repurposing phone booths into COVID-19 sampling stations: medical operator experiences

“…Especially during the initial stages, there was a continuous need to perform sample collection for RT-PCR testing [ 11 ]. Extended screening capacity was required when governments and related institutions changed their strategy to broad sampling coverage [ 33 ]. Where responses proved slow or inadequate, alternative organizations and individuals helped with impromptu solutions.…”

“…Many of the adopted testing units were typically comprised of improvised installations or modified structures in or next to hospitals [ 33 ], based on media coverage concerning sampling stations used in South Korea [ 4 , 20 ]. These efforts also included drive-through testing centers, enabling individuals to be tested in their cars [ 12 ], and mobile pop-up testing sites established in high-demand locations [ 6 ].…”

Correction to: A mobile swabbing booth to address Singapore GPs’ concerns about swabber protection: human-centred design during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…In the original publication of this article [ 1 ], the link “10.21979/N9/XRTKJV” was missing under Availability of data and materials section.…”