From the frequency of Internet searches to the advent of patient-centered care, it is undeniable that patients are more involved in their own health care than ever before. At the heart of the patient-empowerment movement are tools for information sharing and easy-to-use medical devices, including point-of-care (POC) diagnostic testing.Aside from patient preference, policy experts are looking at POC testing, including at-home sampling and testing strategies, as a means of broadening screening efforts for a variety of diseases while containing costs. As a result, in addition to ensuring test accuracy, laboratories and diagnostics manufacturers are now increasingly considering lay user interfaces in sample collection and test design efforts.Patients Willing and Able Researchers are exploring rapid, at-home tests for common conditions such as strep throat, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and even cancer screenings. Since the 1970s with the commercial availability of at-home pregnancy tests and glucose monitoring kits, patients have demonstrated a willingness to participate in self-testing. These POC tests give immediate results in nontraditional settings and, in addition to encouraging patient responsibility in their own care, they also address patient preferences such as convenience, logistic and travel issues, and privacy concerns. However, over the years, critics have raised many questions about […]