From Education to Action—The Impact of Hepatitis C Micro-Elimination Education on Healthcare Provider Confidence and Linkage to Care: A Quasi-Experimental Study

IF 2.1 Q2 MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL

Health Science Reports Pub Date : 2025-07-11 DOI:10.1002/hsr2.71039

Regan Preston, Eric Lim, Shirley McGough, Glenn Boardman, Karen Heslop

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Abstract

Background and Aim

Micro-elimination education can improve access to life-saving treatments for patients with hepatitis C, co-occurring mental health conditions, and alcohol and other drug use disorders. The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is disproportionately prevalent among people with mental health conditions and alcohol and other drug issues, reducing their life expectancy. Although hepatitis C is a curable condition, this population frequently remains untested and untreated. Micro-elimination programs are necessary to enhance hepatitis C virus screening and treatment rates. This study aims to evaluate the impact of micro-elimination education on healthcare providers' confidence in identifying high-risk HCV populations, conducting HCV screenings and treatments, and managing comorbid substance use disorders. Additionally, it will assess referrals to a nurse-led HCV treatment clinic.

Methods

A quasi-experimental pre-posttest intervention design was used. The intervention was an education program targeted at HCV micro-elimination and linkage to care.

Results

Questionnaires were administered to (n = 101) healthcare providers to measure changes in confidence in screening and treating HCV in people with comorbid mental health conditions and alcohol and other drug disorders pre- and post-intervention. Pre-intervention, healthcare providers reported the highest confidence levels in treating mental health conditions. A significant increase in post-education confidence in screening and treating the HCV across all healthcare provider roles was observed (p < 0.05). Twenty-three referrals were received at the nurse-led hepatitis C virus treatment clinic, with the majority (n = 11) of referrals received from nurses.

Conclusion

This study underscores the significance of micro-elimination education programs in enhancing healthcare provider confidence in treating hepatitis C. Leveraging the mental health nursing workforce to connect high-risk populations with hepatitis C care will expand timely access to life-saving treatments and optimize healthcare outcomes. Targeted hepatitis C micro-elimination education will further accelerate progress toward the 2030 elimination goals, enhancing the overall well-being of vulnerable populations.

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从教育到行动——丙型肝炎微消除教育对医疗保健提供者信心和护理联系的影响：一项准实验研究

背景和目的微消除教育可以改善丙型肝炎患者、并发精神健康状况患者以及酒精和其他药物使用障碍患者获得挽救生命的治疗的机会。丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）在有精神健康问题、酗酒和其他毒品问题的人群中尤为普遍，缩短了他们的预期寿命。虽然丙型肝炎是一种可治愈的疾病，但这一人群经常未经检测和治疗。微消除规划是提高丙型肝炎病毒筛查和治疗率的必要措施。本研究旨在评估微消除教育对医疗保健提供者在识别HCV高危人群、进行HCV筛查和治疗以及管理共病物质使用障碍方面的信心的影响。此外，它将评估转到护士领导的丙型肝炎治疗诊所的情况。方法采用准实验前后干预设计。干预措施是一项针对HCV微消除和与护理联系的教育计划。结果对101名卫生保健提供者进行问卷调查，以测量干预前后伴有精神疾病、酒精和其他药物障碍的人群在筛查和治疗HCV方面的信心变化。干预前，医疗保健提供者报告在治疗精神健康状况方面的信心水平最高。观察到所有医疗保健提供者在筛查和治疗HCV方面的教育后信心显著增加（p < 0.05）。在护士领导的丙型肝炎病毒治疗诊所收到23例转诊，其中大多数（n = 11）转诊来自护士。结论本研究强调了微消除教育项目在增强医疗保健提供者治疗丙型肝炎信心方面的重要性。利用精神卫生护理人员将高危人群与丙型肝炎护理联系起来，将扩大及时获得挽救生命的治疗并优化医疗保健结果。有针对性的丙型肝炎微消除教育将进一步加快实现2030年消除目标的进程，提高弱势群体的整体福祉。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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