Detection and management of respiratory infections in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: What works?
An evaluation of molecular POC testing for respiratory infections
Molecular POC testing for respiratory infections (SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza A/B) has been conducted through the First Nations Molecular POC testing program since mid-2022. As of November 2025, more than 164,000 client tests had been performed nationally. We expect that access to molecular POC testing for respiratory infections in primary care changes the clinical management, and therefore outcomes for individuals with respiratory infections, but we don't, yet, have a good understanding of this.
We will be working closely with participating clinics to evaluate the clinical effectiveness, acceptability, barriers/ facilitators, and cost effectiveness of molecular POC testing for respiratory infections. We are currently in the early phases of this evaluation, with ethical approval being obtained and clinics being enrolled.
If you would like further information, please contact lead researcher Dr Belinda Hengel at bhengel@kirby.unsw.edu.au
