Evaluation of utilisation and consequences of CRP point-of-care-testing in primary care practices: qualitative interviews with GPs from Germany.

IF 2.5 Q2 PRIMARY HEALTH CARE BJGP Open Pub Date : 2025-03-12 DOI:10.3399/BJGPO.2024.0076

Paul Jung, Jutta Bleidorn, Susanne Doepfmer, Christoph Heintze, Markus Krause, Lisa Kuempel, Doreen Kuschick, Lena-Sophie Lehmann, Liliana Rost, Kahina J Toutaoui, Florian Wolf

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Abstract

Background: The use and advantages of point-of-care tests (POCTs) for C-reactive protein (CRP) in general practice, especially for upper respiratory tract infections (uRTIs), have been studied extensively. However, there is limited knowledge about test indications, prerequisites, and integration of these tests into everyday practice.

Aim: To investigate the attitudes and experiences of GPs in Germany regarding the use of semi-quantitative C-reactive protein point-of-care tests (CRP-POCTs). The study places special emphasis on implementation in routine care, including testing procedures, feasibility, opportunities, and barriers for specific consultation scenarios, as well as test indications and their impact on GP-patient communication.

Design & setting: Qualitative interview study with 10 GPs (May 2023-August 2023) in Germany.

Method: Ten German GPs who participated in an observational study on CRP-POCT use in general practices were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Audio-recordings were transcribed and content analysis was performed.

Results: Interviewed GPs stated that CRP-POCTs offer several advantages for various treatment cases. The tests improve diagnostic confidence and certainty of GPs' therapeutic decisions, and offer a broad spectrum of indications and application scenarios. Additionally, the tests have a positive impact on GP-patient communication, and their ease of use enables rapid implementation into existing workflows. On the other hand, CRP-POCTs increase the time required for test performance and patient consultation.

Conclusion: Owing to the numerous benefits of semi-quantitative CRP-POCTs, interviewed GPs have a favourable attitude towards their regular integration into everyday practice. Implementation barriers include increased time and personnel expenses for testing and inadequate reimbursement by German statutory health insurance.

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评估初级保健实践中 CRP 点检测的使用情况和后果：对德国全科医生的定性访谈。

背景：人们已经广泛研究了C反应蛋白（CRP）的床旁检测（POCT）在全科医疗中的应用及其优势，尤其是在上呼吸道感染（uRTI）方面。目的：本研究旨在调查德国全科医生（GPs）对使用半定量 CRP-POCT 的态度和经验。研究特别强调在常规护理中的实施，包括测试程序、可行性、特定咨询情景的机会和障碍，以及测试适应症及其对全科医生与患者沟通的影响：对 10 名全科医生的定性访谈研究（2023 年 5 月至 2023 年 8 月）方法：采用半结构化访谈的方式，对 10 名参与全科医生使用 CRP-POCT 观察研究的德国全科医生进行了访谈。对录音进行了转录，并进行了内容分析：受访的全科医生表示，CRP-POCT 为各种治疗病例提供了多项优势。它们提高了全科医生的诊断信心和治疗决策的确定性，并提供了广泛的适应症和应用场景。此外，它们还对全科医生与患者的沟通产生了积极影响，而且使用方便，可快速融入现有工作流程。另一方面，CRP-POCT 增加了检测和患者咨询所需的时间：结论：由于半定量 CRP-POCT 的众多优点，受访的全科医生对将其定期纳入日常实践持积极态度。实施障碍包括检测时间和人力成本增加，以及德国法定医疗保险报销不足。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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