Point of care devices in primary care setting in india: A scoping review

Point-of-care (PoC) devices represent a critical advancement in healthcare, particularly in primary care settings, allowing timely clinical decision-making and treatment leading to improved patient outcomes. Despite growing relevance, the deployment and effectiveness of PoC devices remain underexplored. The scoping review aims to collate the existing literature on PoC devices in Indian healthcare context, highlighting key concepts, identifying knowledge gaps, and mapping the landscape of available evidence.

A comprehensive search was conducted across databases, like MEDLINE, Cochrane Database, and JBI Evidence Synthesis with no language restrictions. The reviewers independently screened titles, abstracts, and full texts to select relevant studies based on predefined eligibility criteria. Data extraction involved charting key details, including study objectives, participant demographics, PoC device type, and outcomes. The findings were synthesized descriptively, focusing on identifying trends, gaps, and the distribution of evidence.

The scoping review reveals increased adoption of PoC devices, especially in settings with limited resources, highlighting their important roles in maternal health, infectious diseases, and non-communicable diseases. These devices improve early detection and accessibility to healthcare, particularly in rural regions where the demand is higher. Nonetheless, inequalities remain due to challenges related to infrastructure, financial limitations, and gaps in regulation. Furthermore, the long-term effectiveness of these devices is compromised by fragmented diagnostic processes, insufficient follow-up care, and difficulties in integrating them with existing health systems. Despite these obstacles, PoC devices present valuable opportunities to enhance decentralized healthcare delivery and boost patient outcomes.

Despite the potential of PoC devices, challenges in digital health integration and implementation must be addressed to ensure their effective utilization. The review highlights the need for standardized guidelines and robust infrastructure to support their sustainable adoption. Additionally, further research is essential to bridge existing gaps and enhance their role in delivering equitable and high-quality healthcare across diverse settings.