Hepatitis C Management Simplification From Test to Cure: A Framework for Primary Care Providers

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Primary Care Medicine

Background:

• The need to expand hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment accessibility is critical.
• Recent advancements have simplified HCV treatment regimens, making them suitable for broader clinical application.
• Primary care settings are underutilized for HCV management despite their potential reach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline a practical strategy for primary care providers (PCPs) to initiate and manage HCV treatment.
• To identify patient populations and clinical scenarios requiring specialist referral.
• To address potential barriers and propose policy interventions for enhanced HCV care in primary settings.

Main Methods:

• A 5-step approach to quality HCV treatment in primary care: accurate diagnosis, risk stratification, simplified treatment, minimal monitoring, and post-treatment care.
• Defined criteria for specialist referral, including specific patient demographics and comorbidities.
• Discussion of implementation barriers, research needs, and policy recommendations.

Main Results:

• A significant portion of patients with HCV can be safely and effectively treated by PCPs using modern, pan-genotypic regimens.
• Clear guidelines for diagnosis, treatment initiation, monitoring, and referral are presented.
• The strategy aims to increase treatment rates and contribute to HCV epidemic control.

Conclusions:

• Primary care providers are essential for expanding HCV treatment reach and combating the epidemic.
• The proposed strategy facilitates safe and effective HCV management in non-specialist settings.
• Addressing barriers and implementing supportive policies will further promote HCV treatment in primary care.