Peer-Assisted Telemedicine for Hepatitis C (PATHS): Process evaluation results from a State Opioid Response-funded...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Health Services Research

Background:

• The opioid crisis and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic form a syndemic, increasing illness and mortality.
• Policy-driven funding and collaborative solutions are crucial for translating evidence-based interventions into practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Peer-Assisted Telemedicine for Hepatitis C (PATHS) program.
• To assess the scalability of a peer-assisted telemedicine model for HCV treatment using State Opioid Response (SOR) funding.

Main Methods:

• PATHS utilizes academic medical center staff and "peers" with lived experience to recruit rural individuals who use drugs and have HCV.
• Patient data is collected through clinical records and direct communication.
• Peers, funded by a separate SOR program, provide support throughout the HCV care continuum.

Main Results:

• From March 2021 to June 2024, PATHS expanded to 18 Oregon counties.
• 198 rural people who use drugs were diagnosed with HCV; 84.3% linked to telemedicine.
• Of those treated, 62.8% completed therapy, and 67.0% achieved a cure.

Conclusions:

• The PATHS program demonstrates successful translation of a clinical innovation for HCV treatment into real-world settings.
• It highlights how policy-driven funding fosters collaboration to combat the opioid-HCV syndemic.