POINT OF CARE DIAGNOSTICS MARKET ANALYSIS

Global point of care diagnostics market growth can be hampered due to limited technical skills. As POC devices leverage advanced technologies like microfluidics, biosensors, lab-on-chip, and others, having expertise to operate these devices remains a challenge, especially in developing countries where skilled workforce is limited. This poses issues in accurate and optimal usage of these devices. Even in developed markets, shortage of trained technicians restricts scaling up of POC testing outside conventional healthcare settings like hospitals to more decentralized locations like clinics, homes and others. Device manufacturers need to simplify device design and operating process to make them more user-friendly for non-specialists. Investments are required in training and upskilling healthcare workers and community health workers in low resource settings to expand reach of POC testing. Lack of adequate skills poses risks to reliability and usability of POC devices, thus, hampering the market growth.

Market Opportunities: Growing demand for infection control in hospitals

Global point of care diagnostics market is witnessing significant opportunities, owing to growing demand for infection control and prevention measures in healthcare facilities globally. Rapid and near-patient POC testing aids in faster diagnosis and treatment of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), which place a huge clinical and economic burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Adoption of POC tests allows timely detection of infection sources and monitoring of antibiotic resistance patterns. This helps curb the rise and spread of antimicrobial resistance as it facilitates prompt administration of appropriate antibiotics. Furthermore, decentralized testing outside main clinical laboratories reduces infection transmission risk and saves costs associated with patient transport and facility stay. Rising integration of digital tools with POC platforms also enables effective infection surveillance. POC diagnostics enable improved infection management practices in hospitals, thus, boosting increased uptake of these technologies.