Potential interventions to support HCV treatment uptake among HIV co-infected people in Canada: Perceptions of patients and health care providers

Author(s):  
David Ortiz-Paredes ◽  
Afia Amoako ◽  
David Lessard ◽  
Kim Engler ◽  
Bertrand Lebouché ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Increasing direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment uptake is key to eliminating HCV infection as a public health threat in Canada. People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C (HCV) co-infection face barriers to HCV treatment initiation. We sought to identify interventions that could support HCV treatment initiation based on patient and HCV care provider perspectives. METHODS: Eleven people living with HIV with a history of HCV infection and 12 HCV care providers were recruited for this qualitative descriptive study. Participants created ranked-ordered lists of potential interventions during nominal groups ( n = 4) and individual interviews ( n = 6). Following the nominal group technique, transcripts and intervention lists underwent thematic analysis and ranking scores were merged to create consolidated and prioritized lists from patient and provider perspectives. RESULTS: Patient participants identified a total of eight interventions. The highest-ranked interventions were multidisciplinary clinics, HCV awareness campaigns and patient education, nurse- or pharmacist-led care, peer involvement, and more and better-prepared health professionals. Provider participants identified 11 interventions. The highest-ranked were mobile outreach, DAA initiation at pharmacies, a simplified process of DAA prescription, integration of primary and specialist care, and patient-centred approaches. CONCLUSION: Participants proposed alternatives to hospital-based specialist HCV care, which require increasing capacity for nurses, pharmacists, primary care providers, and peers to have more direct roles in HCV treatment provision. They also identified the need for structural changes and educational initiatives. In addition to optimizing HCV care, these interventions might result in broader benefits for the health of HIV–HCV co-infected people.

Author(s):  
Megan A McVay ◽  
William S Yancy ◽  
Gary G Bennett ◽  
Erica Levine ◽  
Seung-Hye Jung ◽  
...  

Abstract Evidence-based behavioral weight loss treatment is under-utilized. To increase initiation of treatment, we developed a single-session, online, primary care-based intervention (“mobilization tool”). We evaluated the mobilization tool's acceptability for primary care patients with obesity, trial design feasibility, and signal of an effect of the tool on treatment initiation. In this cluster randomized feasibility trial, primary care providers (PCPs) were randomized to a mobilization tool or comparator tool arm. Patients with obesity and a scheduled appointment with a randomized PCP were assigned to complete the mobilization or comparator tool prior to their appointment. The online mobilization tool asks patients to answer questions about a variety of weight-related topics and then provides automated, tailored feedback that addresses psychosocial determinants of weight loss treatment initiation. The comparator tool provided a nontailored description of treatments. All participants were offered free enrollment in behavioral weight loss treatments. Six PCPs were randomized. Sixty patients (57% female; 66% white; aged 55 ± 13 years) participated in this study of 296 contacted for eligibility evaluation (20.2%). Six-month follow-up assessments were completed by 65% (22/34) of the mobilization and 73% (19/26) of comparator tool participants. Participants completing the acceptability survey reported that the mobilization tool was usable, enjoyable, informative, and useful. Weight loss treatment was initiated by 59% (n = 19) of mobilization and 33% (n = 8) of comparator tool participants. The mobilization tool shows promise for increasing treatment initiation among primary care patients, which may increase population weight loss. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02708121.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason J Sico ◽  
Edward J Miech ◽  
Teresa M Damush ◽  
Ava B Keating ◽  
Gregory W Arling ◽  
...  

Introduction: Many patients with TIA/minor stroke do not achieve goal blood pressure their cerebrovascular event, thereby remaining at high risk for future events. Understanding the influence of contextual factors associated with post-event hypertension management may inform future intervention studies. Methods: As part of a national, observational study of TIA/minor stroke care across the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), in-person site visits were conducted at participating VHA medical centers in 2014-15. Semi-structured interviews were used to elicit provider perspectives about local practices related to the care of TIA/minor stroke patients. Study team members systematically applied codes transcribed files using qualitative, categorical, and quantitative descriptive codebooks. Investigators used Thematic Content Analysis and mixed-methods matrix displays to analyze coded data, generate, and then validate findings. Results: Seventy interviews were obtained from staff at 14 sites. Several contextual factors appeared to influence post-event hypertension care delivery for patients after a TIA/minor stroke. Neurologists reported that they perceived no direct responsibility for managing post-event blood pressure and were uncertain whether recommendations regarding blood pressure management were being implemented in primary care. Primary care providers expressed hesitancy about titrating antihypertensive medications post-event, citing concerns about permissive hypertension. Providers also reported that poor blood pressure control was not as salient to patients as symptoms, leading some patients to not adhere to their antihypertensives or not feel a sense of urgency in seeking prompt medical attention. VHA facilities did not have protocols to guide providers in the treatment of post-TIA/minor stroke hypertension, with centers expressing little compulsion to develop them. Conclusions: Multiple contextual factors at the provider- and system-levels were identified as barriers to achieving post-cerebrovascular event hypertension control; these data have informed the design of a recently funded vascular risk factor intervention.


Author(s):  
Jean-Grégoire Leduc ◽  
Erin Keely ◽  
Clare Liddy ◽  
Amir Afkham ◽  
Misha Marovac ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Patients and primary care providers (PCP) can experience frustration about poor access to specialist care. The Champlain Building Access to Specialists through eConsultation (BASETM) is a secure online platform that allows PCPs to ask a clinical question to 142 different specialty groups. The specialist is expected to respond within 7 days. Methods: This is a retrospective review of the Champlain BASETM respirology eConsults from January 2017 to December 2018. The eConsults were categorized by types of question asked by the referring provider, and by the clinical content of the referral. Specialists’ response time and time spent answering the clinical question was analyzed. Referring providers close out surveys were reviewed to assess the impact of the respirology eConsult service on traditional referral rates and clinical course of action. Results: Of the 26,679 cases submitted to the Champlain BASE TM eConsult service 268 were respirology cases (1%). 91% were sent by family physicians, 9% by nurse practitioners. The median time to respond by specialists was 0.8 days, and the median time billed by specialists was 20 minutes. The most common topics were pulmonary nodules and masses (16.4%), cough (10.4%), infective problems (8.6%), COPD (8.6%) and dyspnea NYD (7.8%). The most common types of question asked by PCP were related to investigations warranted (43.1% of cases), general management (17.5%), monitoring (12.6%), need for a respirology referral (12.3%), and drug of choice (6.3%). In 23% of cases the PCP indicated they were planning to refer the patient and no longer need to (avoided referrals) and in 13% of cases the PCP was not going to refer but did after receiving the eConsult advice (prompted referrals). The eConsult led to a new or additional clinical course of action by the PCP in 49% of cases. In 51% of cases the PCP suggested the clinical topic would be well suited to a CME event. Conclusions: Participation in eConsult services can improve timely access to respirologists while potentially avoiding clinic visit and significantly impacting referring PCPs clinical course of action. Using the most common clinical topics and types of question for CME planning should be considered. Future research may include a cost analysis, and provider perspectives on the role of eConsult in respirology care.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 238146831986821
Author(s):  
Claire E. Kendall ◽  
Janessa E. Porter ◽  
Esther S. Shoemaker ◽  
Rachel Seoyeon Kang ◽  
Michael Fitzgerald ◽  
...  

Background. Electronic consultation (eConsultation) is a potential strategy to improve access to specialist expertise and facilitate collaborative care models. The Champlain BASE eConsult service allows for asynchronous communication between primary care providers (PCP) and specialists on a secure, web-based system. HIV experts accessible include HIV physician specialists, HIV pharmacists, and social workers with expertise in HIV. Objective. This study aims to describe the use, value, and utility of this eConsultation service in the care of people living with HIV and to characterize the common question types and clinical topics asked by PCPs. Methods. We analyzed the data from eConsults sent to the HIV specialty group in Ontario’s Champlain Local Health Integration Network between February 2015 and December 2017. Usage data and close-out survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, eConsults were classified using a predefined list of validated taxonomy, and a thematic analysis was performed on the consultation logs to identify common clinical themes. Results. Among the 46 eConsults, the most common question type related to drug treatment (58.7%, n = 27) and management (19.6%, n = 9). The main clinical themes involved the care of significant complexities in people living with HIV, such as comorbidities and drug interactions, and suggestions of coordinated patient care. As well, eConsult was used for advice regarding pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV-negative patients at risk of HIV infection. PCPs highly valued the eConsult service (average rating 4.8/5). Conclusion. Overall, this study demonstrates that eConsult provides an efficient and valuable service to PCPs caring for patients living with or at risk for HIV by improving access to HIV specialists and facilitating the delivery of team-based comprehensive care.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 210-216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren White ◽  
Ali Azzam ◽  
Lauren Burrage ◽  
Clare Orme ◽  
Barbara Kay ◽  
...  

BackgroundAustralia has unrestricted access to direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. In order to increase access to treatment, primary care providers are able to prescribe DAA after fibrosis assessment and specialist consultation. Transient elastography (TE) is recommended prior to commencement of HCV treatment; however, TE is rarely available outside secondary care centres in Australia and therefore a requirement for TE could represent a barrier to access to HCV treatment in primary care.ObjectivesIn order to bridge this access gap, we developed a community-based TE service across the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay areas of Queensland.DesignRetrospective analysis of a prospectively recorded HCV treatment database.InterventionsA nurse-led service equipped with two mobile Fibroscan units assesses patients in eight locations across regional Queensland. Patients are referred into the service via primary care and undergo nurse-led TE at a location convenient to the patient. Patients are discussed at a weekly multidisciplinary team meeting and a treatment recommendation made to the referring GP. Treatment is initiated and monitored in primary care. Patients with cirrhosis are offered follow-up in secondary care.Results327 patients have undergone assessment and commenced treatment in primary care. Median age 48 years (IQR 38–56), 66% male. 57% genotype 1, 40% genotype 3; 82% treatment naïve; 10% had cirrhosis (liver stiffness >12.5 kPa). The majority were treated with sofosbuvir-based regimens. 26% treated with 8-week regimens. All patients had treatment prescribed and monitored in primary care. Telephone follow-up to confirm sustained virological response (SVR) was performed by clinic nurses. 147 patients remain on treatment. 180 patients have completed treatment. SVR data were not available for 19 patients (lost to follow-up). Intention-to-treat SVR rate was 85.5%. In patients with complete data SVR rate was 95.6%.ConclusionCommunity-based TE assessment facilitates access to HCV treatment in primary care with excellent SVR rates.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Radley ◽  
Emma Robinson ◽  
Esther J. Aspinall ◽  
Kathryn Angus ◽  
Lex Tan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Direct Acting Antiviral (DAAs) drugs have a much lower burden of treatment and monitoring requirements than regimens containing interferon and ribavirin, and a much higher efficacy in treating hepatitis C (HCV). These characteristics mean that initiating treatment and obtaining a virological cure (Sustained Viral response, SVR) on completion of treatment, in non-specialist environments should be feasible. We investigated the English-language literature evaluating community and primary care-based pathways using DAAs to treat HCV infection. Methods Databases (Cinahl; Embase; Medline; PsycINFO; PubMed) were searched for studies of treatment with DAAs in non-specialist settings to achieve SVR. Relevant studies were identified including those containing a comparison between a community and specialist services where available. A narrative synthesis and linked meta-analysis were performed on suitable studies with a strength of evidence assessment (GRADE). Results Seventeen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria: five from Australia; two from Canada; two from UK and eight from USA. Seven studies demonstrated use of DAAs in primary care environments; four studies evaluated integrated systems linking specialists with primary care providers; three studies evaluated services in locations providing care to people who inject drugs; two studies evaluated delivery in pharmacies; and one evaluated delivery through telemedicine. Sixteen studies recorded treatment uptake. Patient numbers varied from around 60 participants with pathway studies to several thousand in two large database studies. Most studies recruited less than 500 patients. Five studies reported reduced SVR rates from an intention-to-treat analysis perspective because of loss to follow-up before the final confirmatory SVR test. GRADE assessments were made for uptake of HCV treatment (medium); completion of HCV treatment (low) and achievement of SVR at 12 weeks (medium). Conclusion Services sited in community settings are feasible and can deliver increased uptake of treatment. Such clinics are able to demonstrate similar SVR rates to published studies and real-world clinics in secondary care. Stronger study designs are needed to confirm the precision of effect size seen in current studies. Prospero: CRD42017069873.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 193-193
Author(s):  
Monica Cristina Robotin ◽  
Yumi Patton ◽  
Melanie Q Kansil ◽  
Jacob George ◽  
Andrew G Penman

193 Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) infection is endemic in many Asian and Pacific Island countries, with 25-40% of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients developing cirrhosis or hepatocellular cancer (HCC). Increased migration from high HBV prevalence countries leads to Vietnamese-born Americans and Australians 11-13 times more likely to develop HCC than other groups. As antiviral therapy is more cost-effective than HCC screening, we developed a program of hepatitis B screening, monitoring and treatment targeting high–risk populations in Sydney aged >35 years (the median age for HBeAg sero-conversion in Asian populations). Here we compare estimated program costs using guidelines for HBV treatment in hepatitis B e antigen negative populations. Methods: Using a Markov model, we modelled CHB disease progression and management costs using guidelines published by the American, European and Asian Pacific Associations for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD, EASL and APASL) and algorithms created by US hepatology experts and our B Positive program, using different levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) for treatment initiation. We factored in costs for CHB screening and surveillance for liver damage provided by specialists and/or primary care providers, including CHB and HCC treatment, individualised by viral load and ALT levels. Costs were discounted by 5% and calculated in Australian dollars (AUD); incremental costs used AASLD guidelines as a baseline. Results: Assuming a 25% enrolment in our target population of patients with CHB in South West Sydney followed up for 50 years, total program costs would amount to 9,205,680 AUD. Using AASLD guidelines, estimated cost would amount to 6,344 AUD per patient. APASL guidelines lead to a 132% cost rise, the B Positive program costs 152% more, while the US algorithm and EASL are associated with a 221% cost increment to achieve the equivalent cost/QALY. Conclusions: While the AASLD guidelines appear to be the least costly, uncertainties about “ideal” ALT and viral load levels for treatment initiation and the extent of the benefit conferred in terms of HCC cases averted will need to be resolved to inform large-scale prevention programs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanyaporn Wansom ◽  
Oluwaseun Falade-Nwulia ◽  
Catherine G. Sutcliffe ◽  
Shruti H. Mehta ◽  
Richard D. Moore ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hepatitis C is a major cause of mortality among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients, yet hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment uptake has historically been low. Although the removal of interferon removes a major barrier to HCV treatment uptake, oral therapies alone may not fully eliminate barriers in this population. Methods Within the Johns Hopkins Hospital HIV cohort, a nested case-control study was conducted to identify cases, defined as patients initiating HCV treatment between January 1996 and 2013, and controls, which were selected using incidence density sampling (3:1 ratio). Controls were matched to cases on date of enrollment. Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with HCV treatment initiation. Results Among 208 treated cases and 624 untreated controls, the presence of advanced fibrosis (odds ratio [OR], 2.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–3.95), recent active drug use (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.19–0.69), and non-black race (OR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.26–3.20) were independently associated with initiation of HCV therapy. An increasing proportion of missed visits was also independently associated with lower odds of HCV treatment (25%–49% missed visits [OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.27–0.91] and ≥50% missed visits [OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.12–0.48]). Conclusions Interferon-free treatments may not be sufficient to fully overcome barriers to HCV care in HIV-infected patients. Interventions to increase engagement in care for HIV and substance use are needed to expand HCV treatment uptake.


2019 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 363-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sahar Saeed ◽  
Erin Strumpf ◽  
Erica E M Moodie ◽  
Leo Wong ◽  
Joseph Cox ◽  
...  

Abstract Background High costs of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have led health-care insurers to limit access worldwide. Using a natural experiment, we evaluated the impact of removing fibrosis stage restrictions on hepatitis C (HCV) treatment initiation rates among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and then examined who was left to be treated. Methods Using data from the Canadian HIV-HCV Coinfection Cohort, we applied a difference-in-differences approach. Changes in treatment initiation rates following the removal of fibrosis stage restrictions were assessed using a negative binomial regression with generalized estimating equations. The policy change was then specifically assessed among people who inject drugs (PWID). We then identified the characteristics of participants who remained to be treated using a modified Poisson regression. Results Between 2010–2018, there were a total of 585 HCV initiations among 1130 eligible participants. After removing fibrosis stage restrictions, DAA initiations increased by 1.8-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3–2.4) controlling for time-invariant differences and secular trends. Among PWID the impact appeared even stronger, with an adjusted incidence rate ratio of 3.6 (95% CI 1.8–7.4). However, this increased treatment uptake was not sustained. At 1 year following universal access, treatment rates declined to 0.8 (95% CI .5–1.1). Marginalized participants (PWID and those of indigenous ethnicity) and those disengaged from care were more likely to remain HCV RNA positive. Conclusions After the removal of fibrosis restrictions, HCV treatment initiations nearly doubled immediately, but this treatment rate was not sustained. To meet the World Health Organization elimination targets, the minimization of structural barriers and adoption of tailored interventions are needed to engage and treat all vulnerable populations.


2017 ◽  
Vol 133 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth H. Mayer ◽  
Stephanie Loo ◽  
Phillip M. Crawford ◽  
Heidi M. Crane ◽  
Michael Leo ◽  
...  

Objectives: As the life expectancy of people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has increased, the spectrum of illness has evolved. We evaluated whether people living with HIV accessing primary care in US community health centers had higher morbidity compared with HIV-uninfected patients receiving care at the same sites. Methods: We compared data from electronic health records for 12 837 HIV-infected and 227 012 HIV-uninfected patients to evaluate the relative prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, dyslipidemia, and malignancies by HIV serostatus. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate differences. Participants were patients aged ≥18 who were followed for ≥3 years (from January 2006 to December 2016) in 1 of 17 community health centers belonging to the Community Health Applied Research Network. Results: Nearly two-thirds of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients lived in poverty. Compared with HIV-uninfected patients, HIV-infected patients were significantly more likely to be diagnosed and/or treated for diabetes (odds ratio [OR] = 1.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-1.41), hypertension (OR = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.31-1.46), dyslipidemia (OR = 2.30; 95% CI, 2.17-2.43), chronic kidney disease (OR = 4.75; 95% CI, 4.23-5.34), lymphomas (OR = 4.02; 95% CI, 2.86-5.67), cancers related to human papillomavirus (OR = 5.05; 95% CI, 3.77-6.78), or other cancers (OR = 1.25; 95% CI, 1.10-1.42). The prevalence of stroke was higher among HIV-infected patients (OR = 1.32; 95% CI, 1.06-1.63) than among HIV-uninfected patients, but the prevalence of myocardial infarction or coronary artery disease did not differ between the 2 groups. Conclusions: As HIV-infected patients live longer, the increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases may complicate their clinical management, requiring primary care providers to be trained in chronic disease management for this population.


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