The Creation of Point-of-Careology

Abstract

Goals The objectives of this study were to improve awareness of point-of-care testing as a new medical field, to solidify relationships among point-of-care professionals and other medical disciplines, and to identify potential for advancing medical applications, economic benefits, and patient impact through timely decision-making for evidence-based medicine. Methods Literature review, comprehensive analysis, focused analysis, inductive logic, general summary of international outcomes, and comparative advances that improve point-of-care impact in China and other countries in need of rapid response were performed in this study. Results The creation of point-of-careology comprised the following: (a) introduction of its research and practical scope, (b) appropriate definition of this new field, (c) description of the range of applications, and (d) identification of relationships with other disciplines. Conclusions Point-of-care testing now is being written into a professional textbook in medical schools in China. Point-of-careology is the outcome of evolution in intelligent diagnostics. Notable achievements in critical care medicine, emergency response, and general practice have resulted from the implementation of point-of-care testing over the past 4 decades. As a new discipline, point-of-careology will contribute to key medical areas, such as disaster preparedness and public health, which we explore. The creation of this new specialty is justified by trends in modern medicine with improved service to the public and by parallel technological advances that empower health care providers at sites of need to deliver complete care cycles quickly and effectively.