Self testing, an emerging component of clinical chemistry

Area of Science:

• Clinical Chemistry
• Health Delivery Systems
• Diagnostic Procedures

Background:

• Self-testing has evolved over 70 years, with a surge in interest and application in the last two decades.
• The practice is underpinned by medical relevance, cost containment, and user convenience.
• Anticipated growth in self-testing is linked to increasing medical needs and procedural advancements.

Observation:

• Clinical chemists are crucial for developing, evaluating, and ensuring the quality of self-testing procedures.
• Physicians maintain a central role in diagnosis and therapy, interpreting self-testing results and guiding patient care.
• Industry is pivotal in supplying reagents, instruments, and funding for new self-testing products, alongside customer service.

Findings:

• The collaborative efforts of clinical chemists, physicians, and industry have established self-testing as a key component of clinical laboratory practice.
• Quality assurance and proficiency programs for self-testing users are effectively managed by clinical chemists.
• Physicians require familiarity with self-testing to interpret results and integrate them into patient management.

Implications:

• Continued innovation in self-testing procedures by clinical chemists will expand healthcare options.
• The physician's role in interpreting self-testing results is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
• Industry's commitment to high-quality products and service will drive the future adoption and success of self-testing.