Bonnet, G 
ORCID: 0000-0002-3539-5001, Nielsen, MJ ORCID: 0000-0001-7148-520X, Foss, AM ORCID: 0000-0002-7822-5942, Lewin, A ORCID: 0000-0003-0081-7582, Nijman, RG ORCID: 0000-0001-9671-8161, Fitchett, E ORCID: 0000-0002-6767-6094, Carrol, E ORCID: 0000-0001-8357-7726, Yeung, S ORCID: 0000-0002-0997-0850, Bonnet, G, Nielsen, M et al (show 5 more authors)
(2026)
Priorities for the development of a new rapid diagnostic test for patients with fever: a cross-sectional online survey among hospital physicians across Europe
BMJ Open, 16 (3).
e107663-.
ISSN 2044-6055, 2044-6055
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Priorities for the development of a new rapid diagnostic test for patients with fever a cross-sectional online survey among .pdf - Open Access published version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
ObjectiveThis study aimed to understand hospital doctors’ priorities (target use cases and aetiologies) for the development of a new rapid diagnostic test for patients with fever.DesignA cross-sectional online survey.SettingEurope-wide.ParticipantsSecondary and tertiary care doctors involved in patient assessment and diagnosis across Europe.InterventionOnline survey from April to September 2024.Main outcome measuresImportance of developing a new test on a scale of 1–10 for up to 19 ‘use cases’ (types of febrile presentations in specific demographic groups): use case scores and ranks and differences across subgroups of respondents, with free text to capture additional suggestions; respondents’ preferences (multiple choice) regarding which aetiologies should be included in a new test.Results265 respondents from 30 European countries (out of 270 starting the survey) were included in the analysis. Top priorities included febrile immunocompromised patients and fever without a focus for both paediatric and adult use cases, and 1–3 months old febrile infants. Rankings were similar across clinician subgroups despite some differences in average scores. 92% (243/263), 95% CI 89% to 95%, of respondents would find a ‘generic’ test for bacterial aetiology useful, even if it does not differentiate between Gram-positive and Gram-negative aetiologies. 54% (63/116), 95% CI 45% to 63%, of respondents would find a ‘generic’ test for inflammatory aetiology useful when seeking to diagnose children for whom Kawasaki’s disease (KD) is on the differential, even in the absence of any KD-specific test, 83% (96/116), 95% CI 75% to 89%, would find such a ‘generic’ test useful if they could use it alongside a KD test when desired.ConclusionClinicians prioritise the most vulnerable patients (because of age or comorbidities) and unclear presentations (fever without a focus) for the development of a new fever diagnostic test. Even relatively simple (eg, bacterial, inflammatory) tests could provide added value to most clinicians.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | DIAMONDS consortium, Humans, Fever, Diagnostic Tests, Routine, Cross-Sectional Studies, Adult, Middle Aged, Physicians, Europe, Female, Male, Surveys and Questionnaires, Practice Patterns, Physicians', Rapid Diagnostic Tests |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Infection, Vet & Ecological Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Infection, Vet & Ecological Sciences > Inst. Infection, Vet & Ecological Sciences (T&R Staff) Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Infection, Vet & Ecological Sciences > Clinical Infection, Microbiology & Immunology |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 17 Apr 2026 09:01 |
| Last Modified: | 17 Apr 2026 09:01 |
| DOI: | 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-107663 |
| Related Websites: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3198011 |
| Disclaimer: | The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate. |
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