[Point-of-care testing: presentation and methodology of a multidisciplinary working group]

Point-of-care testing (POCT) is experiencing increasing growth in response to the challenges of access to care, rapid diagnosis, and efficiency within healthcare organizations. The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced its appeal, demonstrating its ability to provide reliable results near to the patient, while also highlighting the requirements for its safe deployment. In this context, a multidisciplinary working group involving several French laboratory medicine societies (SFBC, SFTH, SFH and SFM) was established to assess the current state of POCT practices in France and french-speaking countries and identify the main obstacles and drivers of its development. The methodology is based on the structuring of thematic subgroups and the development of questionnaires distributed through the scientific societies. A complementary approach using semi-structured interviews is also being implemented to gather feedback and experiences. The expected results will allow for the characterization of POCT organizational methods, the identification of stakeholders' needs, and the proposal of areas for improvement adapted to the constraints on the ground. This work aims to support a controlled and secure development of POCT, consistent with regulatory requirements and quality challenges in laboratory medicine.