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A Telemedicine-Guided Self-Collection Approach for PCR-Based SARS-CoV-2 Testing: Comparative Study
Silvia Würstle1, Johanna Erber1, Michael Hanselmann2
1Department of Internal Medicine II, School of Medicine, University Hospital rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
JMIR Formative Research
|November 22, 2021
Summary
A telemedicine-guided self-collection approach for SARS-CoV-2 testing is feasible and well-accepted by employees. While slightly less sensitive, this method is more time-efficient than traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Disease Diagnostics
- Occupational Health
Background:
- Large-scale SARS-CoV-2 testing using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is costly and time-intensive.
- Self-collection offers a potential alternative, but its feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and infection prevention capabilities require validation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare a novel telemedicine-guided self-collection method with standard SARS-CoV-2 testing in a large industrial setting.
- To evaluate the feasibility, acceptance, ergonomics, and efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 self-testing.
Main Methods:
- A telemedicine-guided PCR-based self-collection approach was assessed in 150 employees (intervention group).
- A control group (143 employees) underwent regular SARS-CoV-2 testing.
- Acceptability, ergonomics, and efficacy were measured via software; a simulation model evaluated effectiveness using an R shiny app.
Main Results:
- Test results were successfully communicated and interpreted by 76% of the intervention group and 76.9% of the control group (P=.96).
- The self-collection group reported non-inferior ratings for acceptability (71.6% vs 37.6%), ergonomics (88.1% vs 74.5%), and efficacy (86.4% vs 77.5%).
- Self-collection was significantly less time-consuming (23 min vs 38 min; P<.001); simulation indicated both methods reduce infection risk, with self-collection being slightly less effective due to lower sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- The SARS-CoV-2 self-collection method is technically feasible and demonstrates good acceptance, ergonomics, and efficacy.
- Simulation models aid in evaluating test effectiveness, highlighting the need for company-specific adaptations.
- Telemedicine-guided self-collection presents a viable, efficient alternative for workplace SARS-CoV-2 screening.
