Place of therapeutic patient education in chronic hepatitis C treated with direct-acting antivirals

Objective: Today, with the availability of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), the value of therapeutic patient education (TPE) in chronic hepatitis C needs to be redefined, as these drugs have made treatment simple. The study presented here in sought to define what role TPE plays today in hepatitis C management along with what factors are associated with such programs being used. Methods: We included 786 patients mono-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) who underwent treatment with DAAs. 284 of whom benefited from a TPE program (36.1%). The characteristics of HCV and how it was treated were compared retrospectively between TPE+ and TPE- patients. The TPE program was overseen by a nurse. Results: The following factors were associated with TPE on multivariate analysis: migrant status (OR=3.63, 95%CI: 2.24-5.96, p <0.001), advanced fibrosis (OR=1.73, 95%CI: 1.08-2.76, p=0.022), tobacco use (OR=1.84, 95%CI: 1.10-3.08, p=0.020) and pangenotypic DAA treatment (OR=0.42, 95%CI: 0.26-0.68, p <0.001). Sustained virological response at 12 weeks (SVR 12) was 96% in both groups. Conclusion: Overall, TPE was primarily followed by migrants during their HCV management as part of overall medico-psycho-social care, and primarily those with severe disease. Practice implication: TPE could help reduce the impact of social inequality on health.

Healthcare providers perception of therapeutic patient education efficacy according to patient and healthcare provider characteristics

Objectives Therapeutic patient education improves numerous health and psychological outcomes in patients with chronic diseases. However, little is known about what makes a therapeutic patient education intervention more effective than another one. This study aims to identify in healthcare professionals the perceived determinants of therapeutic patient education efficacy at the individual level. Methods Semi-structured individual interviews have been conducted with healthcare professionals (HCP, n=28, including 20 nurses) involved in therapeutic patient education programs ( n=14) covering various chronic conditions (kidney and cardiovascular diseases, chronic pain, diabetes, etc.). A thematic content analysis following an inductive approach was used (Nvivo.11 software). Results Five themes were retrieved for patient characteristics: understanding and education, personality, readiness and motivation, social environment, and misinformation and beliefs. Four themes were retrieved for healthcare professionals’ characteristics: medical knowledge, appropriate attitude and relational skills, pedagogical skills, and training. Discussion Patient personality is rarely discussed in the literature. Patients who are introverted, lack curiosity, or are not compliant might benefit from specific therapeutic patient education practices or formats. All these potential determinants regarding patients and healthcare professionals should be routinely assessed in future studies about therapeutic patient education efficacy to understand precisely what makes an intervention successful.

Positive change in asthma control using therapeutic patient education in severe uncontrolled asthma: a one-year prospective study

Background Severe asthma is difficult to control. Therapeutic patient education enables patients to better understand their disease and cope with treatment, but the effect of therapeutic patient education in severe uncontrolled asthma is unclear. We evaluated whether therapeutic patient education is effective in improving asthma control and decreasing the frequency of exacerbations in severe uncontrolled asthma. Methods This was a prospective, observational, and self-controlled study that enrolled 40 subjects with severe uncontrolled asthma. Patients were seen at a clinic four times (on day 1 and after 3, 6, and 12 months). After baseline data collection, the subjects completed a therapeutic patient education program and were also followed-up via telephone after 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 months to monitor asthma medication adherence and collect asthma-related information. Results Within the 1-year study period, a total of 23 exacerbations were recorded in 14 patients, seven of whom required emergency treatment and two of whom were hospitalized. Twelve months after the standardized therapeutic patient education program, pulmonary function and fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels improved significantly in all 40 patients. Moreover, the scores from three standardized asthma questionnaires and indices suggested improved quality of life in these patients with severe uncontrolled asthma. Serum levels of biomarkers reflecting asthma immune responses did not change between baseline and the 1-year follow-up time point. Conclusions Therapeutic patient education is effective in improving asthma control and decreasing exacerbations in patients with severe uncontrolled asthma.