Neil H. Baum, MD, presented “The Future of Medicine: At-Home Testing” for the Grand Rounds in Urology audience in January 2021.
How to cite: Baum, Neil H. “The Future of Medicine: At-Home Testing” January 2021. Accessed Apr 2024. https://grandroundsinurology.com/the-future-of-medicine-at-home-testing/
The Future of Medicine: At-Home Testing – Summary
Grand Rounds in Urology Contributing Editor Neil H. Baum, MD, Professor of Urology at Tulane Medical School, examines the burgeoning field of at-home testing, outlining its pros and cons and discussing its urologic application. At-home testing has become increasingly attractive during the pandemic as patients are able to minimize their possible exposure to COVID-19. It is also more convenient for patients and less expensive than lab testing, the latter being particularly important for uninsured Americans. Dr. Baum notes that some test providers offer telemedicine support to review test results, but also cautions that it is important not to over-promise, as not all at-home tests are FDA-approved and not all types of tests can be run with a small blood sample. Additionally, some home tests require patient history or necessitate a doctor to explain the results. The most familiar types of at-home tests include those for pregnancy or genetics, but there are now a number of new tests available such as IBS or celiac testing, BRCA-focused genetic testing, and fructose and lactose intolerance. For urologists, at-home testing for hematuria workup, semen analysis for infertility evaluation, UTI diagnosis, urine biopsy for PSA, screening for bladder cancer, and follow-up hormone testing are all on the horizon. Dr. Baum concludes that at-home testing is a proactive approach to patient care that further improves telemedicine.
For more commentary on practice management and telemedicine from Dr. Baum, visit his Improving Your Urology Practice page.
