Psychiatrists' Knowledge and Practices in Screening and Assessment of Hepatitis C for Inpatients with Severe Mental Illness

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess psychiatrists' Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related knowledge and behaviour practices. A self-report survey was completed by doctors working at an urban psychiatric hospital in Australia. Doctors working in psychiatry underestimated the prevalence of HCV infection for their patients and less than one-third felt well informed about HCV. Overall, there was good knowledge regarding HCV acquisition epidemiology but knowledge of management was poor. Improving knowledge about HCV, especially current management, may facilitate better health care for patients with severe mental illness.