While the introduction of diagnostic self-tests in the pharmacy is considered a way to empower patients and help them to take
informed decisions about their health, it also represents a challenge for the healthcare relationship: at first instance, the
relationship between the patient and the healthcare professionals (HCP), and at second instance that between pharmacists and general
practitioners (GP). Our research aims to explore how this new controversial element of the healthcare system influences this
relationship, and to identify the factors that may encourage or impede a partnership relationship between healthcare providers and patients.
A mixed-method design will be used to analyze the perceptions and practices of patients and healthcare professionals (pharmacists
and general practitioners) with regard to diagnostic self-tests and the way they influence the healthcare relationships. This
will inform the co-creation, pilot testing and evaluation of a tool to facilitate a partnership approach for the guidance process
that extends from obtaining acquisition about the diagnostic self-test to the follow-up of a diagnosed chronic disease.