Community pharmacists' knowledge, attitudes, and concerns about POCT in the UAE: a cross-sectional study

Point-of-care testing (POCT) is increasingly recognized for improving timely diagnosis and disease management. Community pharmacists are well-positioned to support POCT delivery, particularly in underserved settings. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and concerns of community pharmacists in the UAE regarding POCT implementation.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 501 licensed community pharmacists across the UAE using convenience sampling. A validated questionnaire measured pharmacists' knowledge (19 items), attitudes (9 items), and concerns toward POCT. Quantile regression was applied to identify predictors of knowledge and attitudes.

The median knowledge score was 8/19 (IQR: 3); only 20.4% recognized POCT use in infectious disease detection, and 21.8% were aware of regulatory requirements. The median attitude score was 8/9 (IQR: 3); 66.4% emphasized the need for communication of POCT results to patients and providers, while 64.7% highlighted the importance of mastering POCT mechanics. Main concerns included accuracy (72.3%) and sample collection (60.9%). Female pharmacists and those dispensing more prescriptions daily had higher knowledge scores, whereas older pharmacists showed lower attitude scores.

Although attitudes toward POCT were generally positive, notable knowledge gaps and concerns persist.