Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39313318›Full record

ArticleBJGP open2025

Evaluation of utilisation and consequences of CRP point-of-care-testing in primary care practices: qualitative interviews with GPs from Germany.

Paul Jung, Jutta Bleidorn, Susanne Doepfmer, Christoph Heintze, Markus Krause, Lisa Kuempel, Doreen Kuschick, Lena-Sophie Lehmann, Liliana Rost, Kahina J Toutaoui and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BJGP open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Paul JungInstitute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
Jutta BleidornInstitute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
Susanne DoepfmerInstitute of General Practice, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4263-2682
Christoph HeintzeInstitute of General Practice, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Markus KrauseInstitute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
Lisa KuempelInstitute of General Practice, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Doreen KuschickInstitute of General Practice, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Lena-Sophie LehmannInstitute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
Liliana RostInstitute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany.
Kahina J ToutaouiInstitute of General Practice, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
Florian WolfInstitute of General Practice and Family Medicine, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany florian.wolf@med.uni-jena.de.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0961-1057

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe use and advantages of point-of-care tests (POCTs) for C-reactive protein (CRP) in general practice, especially for upper respiratory tract infections (uRTIs), have been studied extensively. However, there is limited knowledge about test indications, prerequisites, and integration of these tests into everyday practice.

aimTo investigate the attitudes and experiences of GPs in Germany regarding the use of semi-quantitative C-reactive protein point-of-care tests (CRP-POCTs). The study places special emphasis on implementation in routine care, including testing procedures, feasibility, opportunities, and barriers for specific consultation scenarios, as well as test indications and their impact on GP-patient communication. DESIGN &

settingQualitative interview study with 10 GPs (May 2023-August 2023) in Germany.

methodTen German GPs who participated in an observational study on CRP-POCT use in general practices were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Audio-recordings were transcribed and content analysis was performed.

resultsInterviewed GPs stated that CRP-POCTs offer several advantages for various treatment cases. The tests improve diagnostic confidence and certainty of GPs' therapeutic decisions, and offer a broad spectrum of indications and application scenarios. Additionally, the tests have a positive impact on GP-patient communication, and their ease of use enables rapid implementation into existing workflows. On the other hand, CRP-POCTs increase the time required for test performance and patient consultation.

conclusionOwing to the numerous benefits of semi-quantitative CRP-POCTs, interviewed GPs have a favourable attitude towards their regular integration into everyday practice. Implementation barriers include increased time and personnel expenses for testing and inadequate reimbursement by German statutory health insurance.

Indexed as

C-reactive proteingeneral practitionerspoint-of-care testingprimary healthcare

Identifiers

PMID39313318
PMCPMC12137989

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.