Abstract
BackgroundAustralians with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) can access affordable Direct Acting Antiviral (DAA) treatments with high cure rates (>90%), via General Practitioners (GPs). Benefits from this treatment will be maximised if people with HCV readily disclose and engage with private GPs regarding HCV-related issues. Investigating the perceptions and experiences of people affected by HCV with GPs can allow for this pathway to care for HCV to be improved.MethodsIn 2013–2014, 22 purposively sampled participants from South Australia (SA) were interviewed. They a) had contracted or were at risk of hepatitis C (n = 10), b) were key workers who had clients affected by HCV (n = 6), and c) met both a) and b) criteria (n = 6). The semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed.ResultsPeople affected by HCV viewed GPs as a source of general healthcare but, due to negative experiences and perceptions, many developed a strategy of “sussing” out doctors before engaging with and disclosing to a GP regarding HCV-related issues. Participants were doubtful about the benefits of engagement and disclosure, and did not assume that they would be provided best-practice care in a non-discriminatory, non-judgemental way. They perceived risks to confidentiality and risks of changes to the care they received from GPs upon disclosure.ConclusionGPs may need to act in ways that counteract the perceived risks and persuade people affected by HCV of the benefits of seeking HCV-related care.
Highlights
Australians with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) can access affordable Direct Acting Antiviral (DAA) treatments with high cure rates (>90%), via General Practitioners (GPs)
Participants Twenty-two participants were recruited (11 female, 11 male), 10 people affected by hepatitis C virus (HCV) (A), 6 people who have clients affected by HCV (CA), and 6 who were both affected by HCV and had clients affected by HCV (A+ CA)
Similar experiences and perceptions were provided by participants independent of the basis of their recruitment as people directly affected by HCV (A), had clients affected by HCV (CA) or could provide both perspectives (C + CA)
Summary
Australians with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) can access affordable Direct Acting Antiviral (DAA) treatments with high cure rates (>90%), via General Practitioners (GPs). Benefits from this treatment will be maximised if people with HCV readily disclose and engage with private GPs regarding HCV-related issues. The uptake rate in Australia for antiviral treatments for HCV has dramatically improved from as few as 2% in 2012 [3] of those infected entering treatment to 14% in 2016 with advances in treatment [4]. New direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatments for HCV have achieved viral clearance (representing a cure) in more than 90%, with reduced treatment time and few side effects [6]. From March 2016 DAA treatments approved for use in Scarborough et al BMC Family Practice (2017) 18:97
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