Hepatitis C Clinician Survey: Preliminary Results
(Supported by the NIH Roadmap Initiative Grant)
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Study Purpose |
Background |
Design |
Results
Study Purpose:
To better understand clinicians’ practice habits and views on the screening and management of the Hepatitis C virus.
Background:
- Infection with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common occurrence
- Primary Care clinicians are confronted with complex issues regarding the identification and treatment of HCV.
Design:
- This study was the first conducted by PRIME-Net, a consortium of three practice-based research networks - New Mexico's RIOS Net,
Colorado's CaReNet, and Southeast Regional Clinician's Network.
- 813 clinicians across networks completed an electronic survey between January and April, 2006.
- Non-responders were mailed a paper survey.
- Total overall response rate was over half of those were surveyed
Results:
- Clinicians indicate a high interest in participating in the screening, diagnosis, and co-management of HCV
- Attitudes:
- The most common factor cited by clinicians when considering their approach to HCV is that the consequences can be serious.
- Many report competing demands also influence their approach.
- Two-thirds consider HCV less important than the common problems they face in practice.
- Practice Habits:
- Less than one-fourth of clinicians routinely assess new patients for a history of intravenous drug use.
- One tihrd will assess patients for a history of transfusions before 1992.
- Clinicians uncommonly order a hepatitis C antibody when confronted with a history of IV drug abuse or an abnormal ALT.
- Treatment Services:
- Most clinicians are satisfied with the quality and accessibility of treatment services, yet, less than half refer most of their patients for treatment.
- Treatment tolerability, co-morbidities and financial problems were listed as the most common barriers to treatment.
Preliminary Thoughts and Observations:
Clinicians report low screening and referral rates for HCV. Reasons are complex and include other competing time demands on the clinician and poor tolerability and affordability of treatment.
