Diagnostics for optimised dengue surveillance: a qualitative focus group study to investigate user experience and requirements in Thailand

Objectives Effective, real-time surveillance of dengue may provide early warning of outbreaks and support targeted disease-control intervention but requires widespread accurate diagnosis and timely case reporting. Research directing innovation in diagnostics for dengue surveillance is lacking. This...

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Main Authors: Raheelah Ahmad, Alison Holmes, Pantelis Georgiou, Paul Arkell, Sanhapon Ketklao, Adisak Songjaeng, Dumrong Mairiang, Jesus Rodriguez-Manzano, Prida Malasit, Panisadee Avirutnan, Saranath Lawpoolsri
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2024-11-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/11/e085946.full
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author Raheelah Ahmad
Alison Holmes
Pantelis Georgiou
Paul Arkell
Sanhapon Ketklao
Adisak Songjaeng
Dumrong Mairiang
Jesus Rodriguez-Manzano
Prida Malasit
Panisadee Avirutnan
Saranath Lawpoolsri
author_facet Raheelah Ahmad
Alison Holmes
Pantelis Georgiou
Paul Arkell
Sanhapon Ketklao
Adisak Songjaeng
Dumrong Mairiang
Jesus Rodriguez-Manzano
Prida Malasit
Panisadee Avirutnan
Saranath Lawpoolsri
author_sort Raheelah Ahmad
collection DOAJ
description Objectives Effective, real-time surveillance of dengue may provide early warning of outbreaks and support targeted disease-control intervention but requires widespread accurate diagnosis and timely case reporting. Research directing innovation in diagnostics for dengue surveillance is lacking. This study aimed to describe experience and requirements of relevant prospective users.Design A qualitative, focus group study was conducted.Participants Data were collected from 19 users of diagnostic technology who work across the Thai dengue surveillance system.Data collection and analysis Contextual knowledge, experience and needs were explored in focus groups. Discussions were translated, transcribed, analysed thematically and mapped to Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research domains.Results Participants expressed a need for rapid, accurate, serotype-specific tests which can be operated easily by non-expert users without laboratory equipment. They supported integration of diagnostics with surveillance systems and felt this would increase the quantity and speed of case reporting as well as provide healthcare professionals with up-to-date information about the number of cases locally, thereby aiding interpretation of test results. Concerns included those relating to data security and the cost of tests.Conclusions Engagement to understand prospective user experience and requirements can improve relevance and uptake of new technology, leading to system efficiencies. The present study highlights specific needs for accurate, serotype-specific, remote-connected diagnostics which are integrated with surveillance systems and support dengue case reporting at the point-of-care.
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spelling doaj-art-02a4338a26d64e6195372e7f5b588bbf2025-08-20T02:49:04ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552024-11-01141110.1136/bmjopen-2024-085946Diagnostics for optimised dengue surveillance: a qualitative focus group study to investigate user experience and requirements in ThailandRaheelah Ahmad0Alison Holmes1Pantelis Georgiou2Paul Arkell3Sanhapon Ketklao4Adisak Songjaeng5Dumrong Mairiang6Jesus Rodriguez-Manzano7Prida Malasit8Panisadee Avirutnan9Saranath Lawpoolsri10Department of Health Services Research & Management, City St George`s, University of London, London, UKCentre for Antimicrobial Optimisation, Imperial College London, London, UKDepartment of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UKCentre for Antimicrobial Optimisation, Imperial College London, London, UKSiriraj Center of Research Excellence in Dengue and Emerging Pathogens (SiCORE-Dengue), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandSiriraj Center of Research Excellence in Dengue and Emerging Pathogens (SiCORE-Dengue), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandSiriraj Center of Research Excellence in Dengue and Emerging Pathogens (SiCORE-Dengue), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandCentre for Antimicrobial Optimisation, Imperial College London, London, UKSiriraj Center of Research Excellence in Dengue and Emerging Pathogens (SiCORE-Dengue), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandSiriraj Center of Research Excellence in Dengue and Emerging Pathogens (SiCORE-Dengue), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandDepartment of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandObjectives Effective, real-time surveillance of dengue may provide early warning of outbreaks and support targeted disease-control intervention but requires widespread accurate diagnosis and timely case reporting. Research directing innovation in diagnostics for dengue surveillance is lacking. This study aimed to describe experience and requirements of relevant prospective users.Design A qualitative, focus group study was conducted.Participants Data were collected from 19 users of diagnostic technology who work across the Thai dengue surveillance system.Data collection and analysis Contextual knowledge, experience and needs were explored in focus groups. Discussions were translated, transcribed, analysed thematically and mapped to Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research domains.Results Participants expressed a need for rapid, accurate, serotype-specific tests which can be operated easily by non-expert users without laboratory equipment. They supported integration of diagnostics with surveillance systems and felt this would increase the quantity and speed of case reporting as well as provide healthcare professionals with up-to-date information about the number of cases locally, thereby aiding interpretation of test results. Concerns included those relating to data security and the cost of tests.Conclusions Engagement to understand prospective user experience and requirements can improve relevance and uptake of new technology, leading to system efficiencies. The present study highlights specific needs for accurate, serotype-specific, remote-connected diagnostics which are integrated with surveillance systems and support dengue case reporting at the point-of-care.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/11/e085946.full
spellingShingle Raheelah Ahmad
Alison Holmes
Pantelis Georgiou
Paul Arkell
Sanhapon Ketklao
Adisak Songjaeng
Dumrong Mairiang
Jesus Rodriguez-Manzano
Prida Malasit
Panisadee Avirutnan
Saranath Lawpoolsri
Diagnostics for optimised dengue surveillance: a qualitative focus group study to investigate user experience and requirements in Thailand
BMJ Open
title Diagnostics for optimised dengue surveillance: a qualitative focus group study to investigate user experience and requirements in Thailand
title_full Diagnostics for optimised dengue surveillance: a qualitative focus group study to investigate user experience and requirements in Thailand
title_fullStr Diagnostics for optimised dengue surveillance: a qualitative focus group study to investigate user experience and requirements in Thailand
title_full_unstemmed Diagnostics for optimised dengue surveillance: a qualitative focus group study to investigate user experience and requirements in Thailand
title_short Diagnostics for optimised dengue surveillance: a qualitative focus group study to investigate user experience and requirements in Thailand
title_sort diagnostics for optimised dengue surveillance a qualitative focus group study to investigate user experience and requirements in thailand
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/11/e085946.full
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