Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Point-of-Care Testing and Rapid Diagnostics

Point-of-care testing (POCT) is transforming healthcare delivery by providing immediate diagnostic results outside conventional laboratory settings. Rapid diagnostics enhance decision-making in emergency care, infectious diseases, and chronic disease management. This session explores the latest in portable diagnostic devices, biosensor integration, and microfluidic technology. Topics include accuracy validation, clinical utility, and implementation challenges in varied healthcare environments. The impact of POCT on patient engagement, healthcare costs, and public health response is also examined, along with regulatory considerations and future trends.