Direct-to-consumer testing - benefits for consumers, people with disease and public health.
Clin Chem Lab Med
; 61(4): 703-708, 2023 03 28.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36735550
ABSTRACT
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) tests can be defined as any in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) test or, more broadly, any medical test using an IVD or medical device, that is marketed directly to consumers without involvement of a health care provider (HCP). Examples are pregnancy tests, alcohol breath tests, blood pressure measurements (medical device), coagulation tests (INR), self-monitoring of blood glucose, continuous glucose monitoring (medical device), HIV tests, HPV tests, SARS-CoV-2 antigen tests, or genetic tests. DTC tests fulfil various customer needs such as making rapid decisions (e.g. glucose monitoring for insulin dosing, SARS-CoV-2 antigen test, hormone test identifying fertile days, alcohol test), monitoring chronic conditions between consultations (e.g. diabetes, lipidaemia, hypertension), saving time and reducing consultations (e.g. INR, SARS-CoV-2 antigen test, blood pressure monitoring), screening for disease when no symptoms are present (e.g. occult blood, cholesterol, triglycerides, SARS-CoV2 antigen test), or maintaining privacy (e.g. pregnancy test, HIV test, HPV test, certain genetic tests). Further, DTC tests can reduce cost and expand access to care in countries with limited resources and can support healthcare systems in extraordinary circumstances such as a pandemic. Valid concerns about DTC testing need to be described, addressed and resolved with the help of authorities and regulators in collaboration with HCP and should not detract from the advantages DTC tests can provide. HCP should play a more prominent role in educating the public through mass media and social media on the proper use of DTC tests and help to pinpoint problem areas.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Infecciones por VIH
/
Infecciones por Papillomavirus
/
Pruebas Dirigidas al Consumidor
/
COVID-19
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Clin Chem Lab Med
Asunto de la revista:
QUIMICA CLINICA
/
TECNICAS E PROCEDIMENTOS DE LABORATORIO
Año:
2023
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Alemania