EPoC - Utilization of Point-of-Care-Tests in outpatient care

Funding Period: 10/2022 – 03/2024

Funding Body: Zentralinstitut für die kassenärztliche Versorgung in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (Zi) – Zi Funding Health

Serviece Research 2021

Study Objective

Point-of-care tests (POCTs), also known as rapid tests, are laboratory tests that can be performed in a medical outpatient practice without the need for extensive equipment. They usually deliver results within 30 minutes. Prominent examples include rapid SARS-CoV-2 tests (also known as “coronavirus rapid tests”), urine test strips and rapid pregnancy tests.

The EPoC project aims to systematically analyse the use of POCTs in outpatient care provided by statutory health practitioners. In particular, we want to investigate:

Which POCTs are frequently used? Which groups of physicians use them (e.g. general practitioners, gynaecologists or paediatricians)?
How has the use of POCTs developed in recent years, and what impact has the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic had?
Are there differences in the frequency of POCT use according to the characteristics of the medical practice characteristics (e.g. solo practice, group practice, or medical care centre)?
Does the location of the medical outpatient practice (rural or urban) influence the frequency of POCT use?

Understanding the current situation regarding POCT use in outpatient care in depth is important for identifying possible over- or underuse and informing targeted activities to improve care.

Methods

The planned study is a retrospective, longitudinal, observational study (2016–2021). It is based on outpatient physician billing data (VDX data) from the Thuringia Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, in accordance with Section 295 of the German Social Code V.

The data is transferred to the Institute of General Practice and Family Medicine in a pseudonymised form. This means that any information that could be used to identify physicians or patients is not transmitted. The Thuringian Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Women and Family has approved the transfer of this data for research purposes (approval for the transfer of social data for use in research in accordance with Section 75 of the Social Code X).

Project Team

Project Partner

Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Thüringen

Publications

Trade journals:

Markwart R, Storch J, Bleidorn J, Freytag A. Utilisation and trends of laboratory testing and point-of-care testing in primary care in Germany: an analysis of claims data. BMJ Open 2024;14:e093780. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-093780

Conference:

Storch J, Freytag A, Markwart R. Schnelltests in der hausärztlichen Versorgung: Eine Analyse von Abrechnungsdaten der Kassenärztlichen Vereinigung Thüringen (Vortrag). 57. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allgemeinmedizin und Familienmedizin. 28.09.-30.09.2023; Berlin.