Community pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes, and concerns about POCT in the UAE: a cross-sectional study

Background: Point-of-care testing (POCT) is increasingly recognized for improving timely diagnosis and disease management. Community pharmacists are well-positioned to support POCT delivery, particularly in underserved settings. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and concerns of community pharmacists in the UAE regarding POCT implementation. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 501 licensed community pharmacists across the UAE using convenience sampling. A validated questionnaire measured pharmacists’ knowledge (19 items), attitudes (9 items), and concerns toward POCT. Quantile regression was applied to identify predictors of knowledge and attitudes. Results: The median knowledge score was 8/19 (IQR: 3); only 20.4% recognized POCT use in infectious disease detection, and 21.8% were aware of regulatory requirements. The median attitude score was 8/9 (IQR: 3); 66.4% emphasized the need for communication of POCT results to patients and providers, while 64.7% highlighted the importance of mastering POCT mechanics. Main concerns included accuracy (72.3%) and sample collection (60.9%). Female pharmacists and those dispensing more prescriptions daily had higher knowledge scores, whereas older pharmacists showed lower attitude scores. Conclusions: Although attitudes toward POCT were generally positive, notable knowledge gaps and concerns persist.