Making Sense of Point‐Of‐Care Testing for the Acute Management of Respiratory Tract Infections in Young Children: Caregiver Experiences in Sweden

AIM: This study examined how parents perceive and experience point-of-care testing in a paediatric emergency department and how these tests relate to the overall diagnostic process. Parents sought care for their children due to suspected respiratory tract infections. METHODS: Twenty parents participated in semi-structured interviews. These interviews were analysed using content analysis and guided by the theory of symbolic interactionism. RESULTS: Parents considered testing an important part of the consultation and found it easy for the child to undergo. Performing tests was a tangible way for parents to understand the progress of care. When tests were not performed, parents expected a reason for their omission. The tests were viewed as symbolic markers that the diagnostic process was advancing and as proof to parents that visiting the paediatric emergency department was the correct choice. CONCLUSIONS: Parents interpreted point-of-care testing as a potent medical and symbolic tool to discover or rule out serious diseases. To prevent the risk of confusing test results with a diagnostic label, clear communication between caregivers and providers can alleviate uncertainty.