Modern Times in Point of Care Diagnostics

*Wolter Paans*

### **Abstract**

This chapter describes the growing influence of point-of-care diagnostics (POCD) on the daily lives of citizens, their immediate families, and healthcare providers. With a view to the future, the most important contemporary developments in this field are discussed, such as noninvasive sensor technology in the diagnostic process, practical examples of point-of-care diagnostics (POCD), including the quantify-self movement and infrared technology. Cost-effectiveness, adoption of POCD, and the contribution of POCD innovations to self-management and health literacy are also discussed. Developments in which deep learning and artificial intelligence are used to make the diagnostic results more reliable are also conferred, such as the development of point-of-care Internet diagnostics. The discussion of professional advice dilemma's in POCD, the patient's appreciation of POCD, and ethical and philosophical considerations conclude this chapter.

**Keywords:** point-of-care diagnostics, bedside testing, quantify-self, diagnostic technology, self-management, infrared diagnostics, Internet diagnostics, adoption

### **1. Introduction**

The gradually more aging population, as well as the demand for self-management, calls for new and creative possibilities to better monitor health processes in a preventive way and to better monitor recovery processes after a period of illness. Technology-driven diagnostics are becoming increasingly important through making informed decisions regarding the treatment of patients [1, 2]. This chapter describes the development of technological diagnostic support in general and examines more precisely its significance for the patient, his immediate family, and the healthcare professional.

Much of the technological support for diagnostics can be summarized under "point-of-care diagnostics" (POCD) [3, 4]. This is, therefore, the focus of this chapter.

In this chapter, the concept of "POCD" is interpreted broadly. This concerns developments in which technology is used for rapid, noninvasive diagnostics where the result is immediately available for the patient and his immediate family and/or the healthcare professional. When a central laboratory analyzes a test, there is generally a lead time between administering the test and receiving the test results at the end user of the test (i.e. a healthcare professional or patient). In the case of POCD, the end user receives the test results immediately, without significant delay.

The use of POCD can increasingly be seen as an important part of regular diagnostics, although it is not yet widely implemented in education curricula or in the (nursing) care process. This chapter can be regarded as an introduction to a modern view of POCD.

The following topics will be discussed in turn:

