Systematic review of near patient test evaluations in primary care.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To identify and qualitatively synthesise the findings from all studies that have examined the performance and effect of near patient tests in the primary care setting.

Design

Systematic review of published and unpublished research 1986-99.

Main outcome measures

Test performance characteristics, measures of effect on clinical practice or patient outcome.

Results

101 relevant publications were identified. The general quality of these papers was low, and consequently only 32 papers were assessed in detail. Although these papers gave some indication of the value of near patient testing in areas such as anticoagulation monitoring and group A beta haemolytic streptococcus testing, the research raised many more questions than it answered. Almost no reports w

SUBMITTER: Delaney BC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC314212 | biostudies-literature | 1999 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature