SynthesisPloS one2025
A qualitative systematic review of barriers and facilitators to the implementation of community-based molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases.
Synthesis in PloS one, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.
What it found
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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.
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.
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Who cites it
6 citing papers in PubMed.
- National Implementation of a Tuberculosis Sample Referral Network to Expand Access to Molecular Diagnosis in the Republic of Congo: Pilot Evaluation and Programmatic Analysis (2023-2025).Tropical medicine and infectious disease · 2026Article
- CRISPR-Cas-based detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: current advances and translational bottlenecks.Protoplasma · 2026Review
- Feasibility and acceptability of pooled sputum testing for tuberculosis: a multicountry qualitative study of the Start4All project.BMJ open · 2026Article
- An automated plasma-based proteotyping immunoassay for APOE ε4 zygosity classification in Alzheimer's disease.Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association · 2026Article
- Direct single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping from whole blood without DNA extraction.Journal of equine science · 2026Article
- Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundCommunity-based molecular diagnostic testing for infectious diseases can bring equitable healthcare to resource-limited settings without hospital-based laboratories. Low-complexity molecular testing devices allow for unprecedented sensitivity and specificity for infectious disease diagnostics outside of a dedicated laboratory, which may facilitate timely initiation of therapeutics and other public health interventions in rural, remote and/or marginalized communities.
objectiveTo identify barriers and facilitators to the implementation of community-based molecular testing.
methodsA systematic search was conducted on MEDLINE Ovid, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, Google Scholar, and reference lists. Original research that includes implementation of molecular testing systems at the community-level or at rural/remote health facilities with frontline healthcare workers and reports barriers and facilitators to implementation were included. Studies were assessed by the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative Checklist and underwent inductive thematic analysis. The review protocol was registered to Prospero prior to conducting the review (CRD42023397800).
resultsA total of 6 studies were included in the review. We found three main themes present across all six included studies: infrastructure, usability, and staffing considerations. Infrastructure emerged as a critical determinant, with challenges ranging from physical space constraints to issues with reliable electricity and internet connectivity. The usability of testing devices, encompassing factors like ease of use and testing quality, also played a pivotal role. Staffing considerations, including workload, training, and attitudes, significantly influenced implementation outcomes.
conclusionOur review highlights the importance of addressing infrastructural challenges, ensuring usability of testing devices, and adequately supporting staff through training and workload management to realize the full potential of this new opportunity. Future implementation should consider these factors to successfully integrate molecular diagnostics into community-level healthcare delivery, particularly in rural and remote areas.
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Registered trials
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.