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Patient concerns regarding chronic hepatitis C infections
G Y Minuk1, A Gutkin, S G Wong
1Section of Hepatology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. gminuk@cc.umanitoba.ca
Journal of Viral Hepatitis
|January 19, 2005
Summary
Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have concerns beyond transmission, including disease progression and treatment side effects. Effective counselling must address these broader patient worries for better care.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Public Health
- Patient Care
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection counselling often focuses narrowly on transmission risks.
- This limited scope may not address the full spectrum of patient concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and document the primary concerns of patients newly diagnosed with and those in follow-up for chronic HCV infection.
- To inform and enhance current counselling strategies and content for HCV patients.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed 70 newly diagnosed and 115 follow-up chronic HCV patients.
- Collected 'volunteered concerns' via open-ended questions.
- Gathered 'prioritized concerns' by having patients rank a list of seven potential issues.
Main Results:
- Newly diagnosed patients' top concerns included disease progression, premature death, and infecting family.
- Follow-up patients shared similar concerns.
- Concerns remained consistent across various demographics and viral acquisition methods.
Conclusions:
- Current HCV counselling, focused solely on transmission, fails to address patients' most significant concerns.
- Counselling strategies need expansion to include disease progression, treatment effects, and psychosocial impacts.