Full text

Turn on search term navigation

© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Introduction: Austere environments include the wilderness and many lower- and middle-income countries, with many of these countries facing unrest and war. The access to advanced diagnostic equipment is often unaffordable, even if available, and the equipment is often liable to break down. Methods: A short review paper examining the options available to medical professionals to undertake clinical and point-of-care diagnostic testing in resource-constrained environments that also illustrates the development of mobile advanced diagnostic equipment. The aim is to provide an overview of the spectrum and functionality of these devices beyond clinical acumen. Results: Details and examples of products covering all aspects of diagnostic testing are provided. Where relevant, reliability and cost implications are discussed. Conclusions: The review highlights the need for more cost-effective accessible and utilitarian products and devices that will bring cost-effective health care to many in lower- and middle-income or austere environments.

Details

Title
Role of Point-of-Care Diagnostics in Lower- and Middle-Income Countries and Austere Environments
Author
Ganchi, Feroz Abubaker 1 ; Hardcastle, Timothy Craig 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo 

 Department of Surgical Sciences, Nelson R Mandela School of Clinical Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4001, South Africa; [email protected]; Trauma and Burns Services, Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Mayville 4058, South Africa 
First page
1941
Publication year
2023
Publication date
2023
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20754418
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2823979626
Copyright
© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.