Utilisation and trends of laboratory testing and point-of-care testing in primary care in Germany: an analysis of claims data.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

German general practitioners (GPs) either order laboratory tests from external laboratories (initiated laboratory services (ILS)) or perform point-of-care tests (POCTs) within the GP practice. This study investigated the current use and time trends of laboratory testing in German GP practices with a particular focus on POC testing.

Design

Retrospective consecutive cross-sectional study by analysis of complete outpatient healthcare claims data (2017-2022).

Setting

Primary care in Thuringia, a federal state in central Germany.

Participants

Data from 2061 GPs.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Number of performed laboratory analyses per year, mean number of laboratory analyses per patient and year.

Results

In 2022, 1601 GPs performed

SUBMITTER: Markwart R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11628953 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature