Introduction: Diagnostic confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 by self-collection of specimens is a reliable method compared with healthcare worker collected samples. Citizens' preferences for collection methods are unknown, but at-home collection could have several advantages.
Methods: This study investigated the preference for guided at-home self-collection versus at-hospital specimen collection by healthcare workers.
Results: Among the 3709 participants, at-home swab collection was the preferred setting for 2362 (63.7%) compared with 1347 (36.3%) reporting a preference for an at-hospital swabbing procedure.
Conclusion: A high preference for guided at-home self-collection of oropharyngeal/nasal SARS-CoV-2 specimens exists and could be a future norm beyond COVID-19.
Keywords: COVID-19; Diagnostics; Oropharyngeal/nasal swab; Patient-reported; SARS-CoV-2; Self-collection.
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