Program Overview
The goal of this course module is to help clinicians and other service providers understand the local and regional picture of HCV, understand HCV screening recommendations, current treatment options, the diagnosis, how to treat HCV patients, and specific issues with vulnerable populations especially people who use drugs and as it relates to the opioid use disorder epidemic.
Who Should Attend
This program is directed to primary care physicians, specialists (Infectious Disease, Gastroenterology, Hepatology), advanced practice provides, nurses, public health professionals, drug and alcohol counselors, care coordinators, advocates and other allied health care workers involved in the healthcare of patients who have risk factors for Viral Hepatitis C (HCV) particularly people who use drugs.
Learning Objectives
At course completion, attendees should be able to:
Performance:
Increase HCV testing, diagnosis, counseling and treatment.
Competency:
Successful linkage to HCV care will increase. Providers will understand how to diagnose and treat HCV.
Increase Knowledge:
Understand the effectiveness and efficacy of HCV treatment for patients and the community.
Curriculum
• Statistics and disease burden
• Disease progression
• Extrahepatic manifestations associated with HCV
• Barriers faced by patients
• Advantages of treating in a primary care setting
• Pre-treatment assessment and evaluation
• Choosing appropriate treatment
• Preparing for treatment
• Prior authorization
• Monitoring treatment/Post-treatment monitoring
• Managing advanced and complicated disease
• Understanding drug interactions
• HBV reactivation
• Case Studies
• When to refer to specialist
• Preventing reinfection
• COVID-19 and HCV
• Understanding the role of Specialty Pharmacy/340B Specialty Pharmacy Support:
• Participant Treatment Toolkit and resources
• Phone consultation and backup for complex cases
• Specialist referral • Continuing education Provider Commitment:
• Trained sites commit to sharing treatment data on a quarterly basis for 1 year via the Community Liver Alliance treatment data log.
For more information and to schedule a training program contact the Community Liver Alliance. 412-501-3CLA or Suzanna@communityliveralliance.org