Access to complementary tests for the diagnosis of infectious diseases in primary care paediatric clinics

Martin-Peinador, Yolanda; Albañil-Ballesteros, María Rosa; Vera, César García; Jiménez-Alés, R; Muñoz-Hiraldo, Eulalia; Martínez-Chamorro, M. José

doi:10.1016/j.anpede.2020.03.012

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…The above survey of GPs found that GAS POCTs were only available in 4%, 1%, and 15% of Belgian, Dutch, and British practices, respectively. By contrast, surveys of French GPs [29], and of Spanish primary care paediatricians found that GAS POCT were available to 88% and 79% of participants, respectively [30], which is in line with our findings for those countries.…”

Section: Plos Onesupporting

confidence: 92%

Availability and use of rapid diagnostic tests for the management of acute childhood infections in Europe: A cross-sectional survey of paediatricians

et al. 2022

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Background Point-of-care-tests (POCTs) have been advocated to optimise care in patients with infections but their actual use varies. This study aimed to estimate the variability in the adoption of current POCTs by paediatricians across Europe, and to explore the determinants of variability. Methods and findings A cross-sectional survey was conducted of hospital and primary care paediatricians, recruited through professional networks. Questions focused on the availability and use of currently available POCTs. Data were analysed descriptively and using Median Odds Ratio (MOR) to measure variation between countries. Multilevel regression modelling using changes in the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of models were used to assess the contribution of individual or workplace versus country level factors, to the observed variation. The commonest POCT was urine dipsticks (UD) which were available to >80% of primary care and hospital paediatricians in 68% (13/19) and 79% (23/29) countries, respectively. Availability of all POCTs varied between countries. In primary care, the country (MOR) varied from 1.61 (95%CI: 1.04–2.58) for lactate to 7.28 (95%CI: 3.04–24.35) for UD. In hospitals, the country MOR varied from 1.37 (95%CI:1.04–1.80) for lactate to 11.93 (95%CI:3.35–72.23) for UD. Most paediatricians in primary care (69%, 795/1154) and hospital (81%, 962/1188) would use a diagnostic test in the case scenario of an infant with undifferentiated fever. Multilevel regression modelling showed that the country of work was more important in predicting both the availability and use of POCTs than individual or workplace characteristics. Conclusion There is substantial variability in the adoption of POCTs for the management of acute infections in children across Europe. To inform future implementation of both existing and innovative tests, further research is needed to understand what drives the variation between countries, the needs of frontline clinicians, and the role of diagnostic tests in the management of acute childhood infections.

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Section: Plos Onesupporting

confidence: 92%