Point-of-care testing (POCT) is becoming increasingly popular for conducting laboratory tests closer to patients. It offers advantages such as accessibility, portability, speed, convenience, ease of use, and lower healthcare costs when used in appropriate clinical pathways. However, POCT also has limitations, including lower accuracy compared to traditional tests, quality control issues, dependence on operators, challenges in patient data management, and higher costs per test. The paper discusses the current state of POCT, its applications, advantages, and potential limitations, as well as future perspectives. It highlights the importance of proper validation before clinical use, especially for rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), and the need for quality assurance in POCT. The paper also addresses the role of POCT in various clinical settings, including critical care, disaster situations, infectious diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. It emphasizes the need for a suitable Quality Management System (QMS) and accreditation to ensure high-quality POCT results. The paper also discusses the importance of professional training and certification in POCT, as well as the challenges of implementing POCT in different healthcare environments. The paper concludes that POCT has the potential to improve patient outcomes but requires careful implementation and ongoing evaluation to ensure its effectiveness and safety.Point-of-care testing (POCT) is becoming increasingly popular for conducting laboratory tests closer to patients. It offers advantages such as accessibility, portability, speed, convenience, ease of use, and lower healthcare costs when used in appropriate clinical pathways. However, POCT also has limitations, including lower accuracy compared to traditional tests, quality control issues, dependence on operators, challenges in patient data management, and higher costs per test. The paper discusses the current state of POCT, its applications, advantages, and potential limitations, as well as future perspectives. It highlights the importance of proper validation before clinical use, especially for rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs), and the need for quality assurance in POCT. The paper also addresses the role of POCT in various clinical settings, including critical care, disaster situations, infectious diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. It emphasizes the need for a suitable Quality Management System (QMS) and accreditation to ensure high-quality POCT results. The paper also discusses the importance of professional training and certification in POCT, as well as the challenges of implementing POCT in different healthcare environments. The paper concludes that POCT has the potential to improve patient outcomes but requires careful implementation and ongoing evaluation to ensure its effectiveness and safety.