THE ROLE OF AT-HOME CONSUMER DIAGNOSTICS INCREASES Saliva-based home pregnancy test arrives at Australian pharmacies
With
Dr Anita Sharma, GP
Platinum Medical Centre,
Brisbane
Michael Cima, CEO & Director
CC Supplies,
Byron Bay
SEGMENT
Filmed in Brisbane | March 2026
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, consumer diagnostics have rapidly advanced, with more people becoming aware of and comfortable using at-home testing. These tests provide greater convenience, control, and empowerment, allowing individuals to monitor their health without immediately consulting a healthcare professional. Recently, this shift has been particularly impactful in areas such as pregnancy testing, where saliva-based diagnostics now enable earlier and more accessible detection.
According to Dr Anita Sharma, a Brisbane based GP at Platinum Medical Centre, traditional medical testing still plays an important role. Situations such as unclear symptoms, early-stage conditions with low detectable markers, or practical limitations—like insufficient saliva samples—may require confirmation through standard clinical methods. Additionally, many patients seek reassurance from healthcare professionals even after receiving positive at-home results, particularly when further care planning is needed.
As a result, the role of healthcare practitioners is evolving, according to Dr Sharma. Rather than acting solely as gatekeepers to testing, they are increasingly becoming interpreters and validators of patient-led diagnostics. According to Dr Sharma, GPs now focus more on guiding care, confirming results, and supporting patient decisions. To do this effectively, Dr Sharma states GPs must stay informed through continuous education, engagement with peers, and awareness of emerging diagnostic technologies and trends in healthcare.
Australian Health Journal also spoke with Michael Cima, CEO and Director of CC Supplies about the accessibility of consumer diagnostics and where women are able to choose how to test, have improved access and opt for privacy.
Source: Adapted from transcript
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Making clinical trials participant friendly
Clinical trials are essential in developing new, improved, and more effective treatments and interventions. Without trials, researchers and professionals in the field cannot properly determine whether these new treatments and interventions are safe and effective.
The Clinials platform is geared towards patient centric trials and reducing site burden. The aim is to accelerate lifesaving medicines coming to market by connecting participants and researchers. The platform allows participants to come to researchers with their eligibility in hand among other capabilities.
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Student nurse placements in primary health care
With an urgent need to manage increasing rates of chronic disease, an ageing population, and a rapidly-ageing primary health care nurse workforce, Australia desperately needs more primary health care nurses to enter the workforce before the current generation retires and cannot pass on its skills.
Most nurses start their career in a hospital. Historically, it was difficult for universities and tertiary education providers to arrange placements for student nurses in primary health care. However, the APNA Student Nurse Placement Program provides student nurses with a foot in the door to a career in vibrant primary health care settings such as general practice or community health to perform supervised activities.
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Interview with Kylie Ward, CEO Australian College of Nursing
Kylie Ward, CEO Australian College of Nursing spoke with Anne Dao from Australian Health Journal, at last week’s Australian Healthcare Week Expo on the vital role of the nursing professional.
Australian College of Nursing oversees 390,000 nurses in Australia and is the national leader in the nursing profession.
Changes in nursing policy are needed in areas of aged care, chronic disease and workforce sustainability. There are forecasts of shortages in nursing by the year 2025 of 80,000 and by 2030 the number growing by 125,000.
Kylie also mentioned the new Nursing Trailbrazers Award that has been recognised by Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt. The 4 finalists have been recognised for influencing models of care, and implementing game changing initiatives across the country. They will be presented at the Nursing Now Australia event held by the ACN on 9th April.
