Fig 1. Distribution of challenges in performing point-of-care tests in-house according to practitioners’ level of training (n = 228).

Practitioner-reported reasons for not performing rapid point-of-care tests in their health facility among 228 randomly selected private practitioners in Chennai. Practitioners gave multiple responses; thus, response categories are not mutually exclusive. Figures show the distribution of PP-reported challenges in performing POC tests in-house by practitioners’ specialty and level of training. Statistically significant differences across practitioners’ level of training included: time constraints (listed by 69% of chest physicians versus 40% of non-chest specialists, P<0.001), use of nearby private lab services (21% versus 56%, p<0.001), lack of interest in POC tests (10% versus 3%, P = 0.03), and lack of an attached lab (8% versus 24%, p = 0.03). Error bars represent 95% confidence intervals for each estimate. *Indicates statistically significant differences across level of training comparing chest physicians versus non-chest specialists.