Lin, H.H., Langley, I., Mwenda, R., Doulla, B., Egwaga, S., Millington, K.A., Mann, G.H., Murray, M., Squire, S.B. and Cohen, T., 2011. A modelling framework to support the selection and implementation of new tuberculosis diagnostic tools. The International journal of tuberculosis and lung disease, 15(8), pp.996-1004.
· Different diagnostic strategies may be more effective in regions with varying levels of HIV-associated or drug-resistant TB and differing healthcare infrastructure.
· Tests that don't require multiple visits can reduce patient costs and minimize follow-up losses.
· Early detection of TB may lead to better treatment outcomes for patients.
· New diagnostic tools might reduce delays in the lab but could create new bottlenecks in other parts of the healthcare system.
· Changes in diagnostic patterns can shift demand in other areas of the health system.
· While accurate diagnostic tools are important, they alone won't guarantee better TB control.
· The impact of these tools depends on whether they speed up the administration of effective treatment.
· Evaluating the epidemiological impact of new tools is challenging due to TB's slow progression.
· Operational and dynamic epidemiological models can help assess the overall effects of different diagnostic strategies.