There are many factors in the growth of POC testing -- increasing numbers of diagnosed diabetics, people with cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions. It is also expected to play a role in a trend in health care to evaluate provider organizations for quality in care delivery. While this quality imperative is most apparent in pay-for-performance systems, it also provides a framework by which public funds can be used more rationally. This is an especially relevant technology given the U.S. healthcare reform efforts.

All countries are feeling the brunt of aging populations and an increased burden of chronic disease management. Employers and insurance companies are interested in improving the health of customers, and there are some innovative tactics developing in this area. The report is conservative in its predictions and offers a calculated look into the future, based on events currently taking place.

The report offers a quantitative assessment of specific markets in US dollars for 2008 and forecasted out to 2013. These data are provided in order to set the status quo of tests and technologies. However the report concentrates on how these will impact the economics of healthcare over the near term and longer when possible.

SOURCE: MarketResearch