%0 Journal Article
%@ 2561-326X
%I JMIR Publications
%V 6
%N 1
%P e32564
%T A Telemedicine-Guided Self-Collection Approach for PCR-Based SARS-CoV-2 Testing: Comparative Study
%A Würstle,Silvia
%A Erber,Johanna
%A Hanselmann,Michael
%A Hoffmann,Dieter
%A Werfel,Stanislas
%A Hering,Svenja
%A Weidlich,Simon
%A Schneider,Jochen
%A Franke,Ralf
%A Maier,Michael
%A Henkel,Andreas G
%A Schmid,Roland M
%A Protzer,Ulrike
%A Laxy,Michael
%A Spinner,Christoph D
%+ Department of Internal Medicine II, School of Medicine, University Hospital rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str 22, Munich, 81675, Germany, 49 8941404375, Christoph.Spinner@mri.tum.de
%K self-sampling
%K telemedicine
%K test strategy effectiveness
%K simulation model
%K SARS-CoV-2
%K COVID-19
%D 2022
%7 4.1.2022
%9 Original Paper
%J JMIR Form Res
%G English
%X Background: Large-scale, polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based SARS-CoV-2 testing is expensive, resource intensive, and time consuming. A self-collection approach is a probable alternative; however, its feasibility, cost, and ability to prevent infections need to be evaluated. Objective: This study aims to compare an innovative self-collection approach with a regular SARS-CoV-2 testing strategy in a large European industrial manufacturing site. Methods: The feasibility of a telemedicine-guided PCR-based self-collection approach was assessed for 150 employees (intervention group) and compared with a regular SARS-CoV-2 testing approach used for 143 employees (control group). Acceptance, ergonomics, and efficacy were evaluated using a software application. A simulation model was implemented to evaluate the effectiveness. An interactive R shiny app was created to enable customized simulations. Results: The test results were successfully communicated to and interpreted without uncertainty by 76% (114/150) and 76.9% (110/143) of the participants in the intervention and control groups, respectively (P=.96). The ratings for acceptability, ergonomics, and efficacy among intervention group participants were noninferior when compared to those among control group participants (acceptability: 71.6% vs 37.6%; ergonomics: 88.1% vs 74.5%; efficacy: 86.4% vs 77.5%). The self-collection approach was found to be less time consuming (23 min vs 38 min; P<.001). The simulation model indicated that both testing approaches reduce the risk of infection, and the self-collection approach tends to be slightly less effective owing to its lower sensitivity. Conclusions: The self-collection approach for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis was found to be technically feasible and well rated in terms of acceptance, ergonomics, and efficacy. The simulation model facilitates the evaluation of test effectiveness; nonetheless, considering context specificity, appropriate adaptation by companies is required. 
%M 34803022
%R 10.2196/32564
%U https://formative.jmir.org/2022/1/e32564
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/32564
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/34803022