Unlocking the potential of point of care testing

• Point of Care (POC) testing market forecast to see a compound annual growth rate of 5.2% until 2029
• Demand driven by need for faster, more accessible tests that are closer to where patients are being treated
• Advancements in technology will allow POC testing to help improve operational efficiencies and patient care within the healthcare system

The point of care (POC) testing market is forecast to chalk up healthy growth rates throughout the decade as clinicians and patients seek more convenient and accessible tools to aid diagnostics in a bid to proactively manage a range of acute and chronic conditions whilst keeping costs under control.

The global POC diagnostics market is expected to grow to $USD 51.94 billion by 2029, up from $USD 36.37 billion in 2022, representing a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%.¹ Equipment to monitor blood glucose levels and tests for infectious diseases and cardiometabolic disease are currently the top three growth drivers, according to data from Fortune Business Insights.¹

Testing at the site of patient care is not a new concept – many of the earliest diagnostic tests, such as urine testing, have long been carried out by a patient’s bedside. But changing demographics, the emergence of new infectious diseases, and mounting demands on finite healthcare resources mean there is renewed demand for increasingly sophisticated tests that can provide accurate results within minutes at the very place where patients are being treated.

Broad awareness of the benefits of POC testing has increased significantly following the widespread use of POC tests during the COVID-19 pandemic. The development of rapid antigen COVID-19 tests that produced instant results played a crucial role in helping healthcare systems to manage this highly infectious virus that overwhelmed hospitals and frontline healthcare workers across the world.

As a result of this success, practitioners and the public alike have started to ask for tests that can quickly, easily, and accurately diagnose various illnesses, such as urinary tract infections, sepsis, acute cardiac disease, and diabetes.

“As rapid tests become more sophisticated in terms of speed, quality and connected health and artificial intelligence features, [healthcare providers] HCPs envision that they will become part of the routine diagnostic process,” analysts at market research company Ipsos wrote in a recent report that outlined the results of a survey they conducted with HCPs and pharma and biotech companies regarding developments in the POC market.²

“These tests will be more widespread across a number of therapy areas, even becoming self-administered by patients, empowering both physicians and patients in the process,” the analysts said.²

The advent of more efficient and cost-effective diagnostic tools comes at an important time for healthcare systems that are struggling to meet the needs of aging populations and cope with a rise in chronic diseases caused by unbalanced nutrition, sedentary lifestyles, and environmental issues, such as poor air quality. Staff shortages and budget constraints are further exacerbating the challenges systems are facing.

Experts believe that by moving testing and screening closer to the patient, healthcare systems will be able to improve operational efficiency as well as patient experiences and care management. 

It is also anticipated that POC testing will result in shorter waiting times as well as reduced hospital stays – two factors that can support people’s recovery processes, while earlier diagnoses will lead to more effective and tailored treatment plans and the avoidance of unnecessary testing and procedures. 

Rather than having to go to the hospital for a test, patients will increasingly be able to access tests in several different locations, including pharmacies, General Practitioner practices, and nursing homes.

“The key objective of point of care testing is to generate a result quickly so that appropriate treatment can be implemented quickly, leading to an improved clinical or economic outcome,” Christopher Price, Director of Pathology at Queen Mary, University of London, wrote in a paper that was published in the BMJ.³

POC testing is already a vital tool for frontline doctors, nurses, and emergency workers who are treating illnesses that need immediate diagnoses, such as strokes, heart failure, heart attacks, and sepsis. It is estimated that atrial fibrillation affects more than 37 million people worldwide, while heart failure affects 64 million people globally and the prevalence of acute myocardial infarction is 3 million people worldwide.^4,5,6 Sepsis accounts for 11 million deaths worldwide each year.⁷

Clinicians would like to see POC testing be expanded to other areas, including oncology, neurology, and general health.

Check out our latest ebook for more insights into the latest trends in the POC testing market.  

Innovation in digital technology means that POC testing can now be easily carried out at home as patients use mobile apps to record and share test results with their doctors. Wearable devices can even be linked directly to physicians, who can be alerted if a clinical intervention is required.

New technology is also being used to boost the power of existing tests, such as the lateral flow test. Central to testing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the lateral flow test is one example of a device that now has a wider test repertoire following significant investment in new applications in recent years. Additional developments in sensor technology, dry chemistry, cartridge, and test cards alongside advances in artificial intelligence and algorithms are also improving the quality of results as well as accessibility and ease of use.

As the technology continues to advance, manufacturers of tests will be keen to stress the reliability and consistency of results that their solutions produce. This will be key to ensuring these tests deliver on their potential to improve patient care whilst keeping costs in check.

For more details on the POC testing market, download our latest ebook that outlines the value of decentralized diagnostics, the key market trends, how to overcome existing challenges, and the future of POC testing and patient care.