Experts discuss the role of diagnostics in the post-Covid era

According to the research, 91% of healthcare professionals and 74% of the public also perceived early disease detection as the main benefit of IVDs.

However, he explained that tests are also being missed for fear of positive results. About 41 percent and 38 percent of the public have missed an HIV or hepatitis test, respectively, for fear of positive results.

Meanwhile, around 60% of the public believe there is some sort of barrier to testing, while 50% of healthcare professionals believe the public lacks adequate information. He gave an example that one of the obstacles in Japan was a busy lifestyle.

He summed up that the survey highlighted areas that enable health professionals to dig deeper into the role of diagnostics.

Mr Little said they noticed an increase in the use of digital tools spurred by the pandemic and suggestions on how they can support the growing adoption of these tools beyond the management of Covid-19.

He said many barriers have been broken down during the Covid-19 pandemic due to the need to act quickly, which has allowed the healthcare industry to experiment.

He gave as an example the need for people to show their vaccination status or test result before entering many buildings. This model allows individuals to access their own health data – something that was not done before Covid-19. This could be the first step in making health data more accessible. To reshape the health system, it is essential to have the right information at the right time and in the right place.

He added that digital tools play an important role in this regard, but there is a danger. He explained that digitization must be examined for its relevance. According to available data, health information doubles every 72 days, so it is impossible to keep up to date.

Digital tools could be very useful. In general, digital tools need to integrate with the healthcare system, while the healthcare system needs to support variability.

Responding to a question about what health systems in different countries should look out for when pushing for diagnosis, he said it was about the appropriate use of diagnostic tests. Each country must decide for itself where its health system is and what is most useful at that time in order to harness the power of diagnostics to improve lives.

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About Dia:gram

Dia:gram is a Roche Diagnostics Asia Pacific publication that explores the forces that are transforming healthcare in the region. Our mission is to document the many ways diagnostics impact healthcare, from detecting and stratifying risk to monitoring and managing disease.

We tell the stories of today’s innovators and changemakers who dream of a better future and fight to get there. From patients facing tough questions to labs providing simple answers, we share stories of growth, change and innovation. Diagnosis is the foundation of health care and there are many stories to tell.

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