A multidimensional education program at substance dependence treatment centers improves patient knowledge and hepatitis C care

A Quality Improvement Project: Implementation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Guidelines at an Addiction Treatment Center

PURPOSE

This quality improvement project was introduced at an addiction treatment center to implement the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment guidelines and offer anticraving medications to patients to improve standards of care of patients with substance use disorders.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Patients with opioid use disorders are at the highest risk of contracting HCV. More than 80% of people in the United States with opioid use disorders who use intravenous drugs have contracted HCV. Despite the high prevalence of HCV, patients at treatment centers are being screened only for HCV antibodies (HCV-AB) and are not receiving the CDC's HCV treatment guidelines. The CDC has treatment recommendations of hepatitis panels, full STD testing, and early follow-up care.

METHOD

This quality improvement project utilized the Plan-Do-Study-Act tool. With the application of Plan-Do-Study-Act, for patients identified with HCV-AB, the established CDC HCV treatment guidelines were followed, and the clinical progress of the implementation of the guidelines was monitored. Chart reviews comparing compliance of guidelines before and after the study were implemented.

PARTICIPANTS

A convenience sample of 125 patients were collected, and of these, 32 patients were found to be HCV-AB+.

FINDINGS

The findings revealed that 18.75% of patients followed the CDC's HCV recommendations after the quality improvement project compared with 6.25% of patients before the intervention. The number of HIV testing offered increased by 40.00% as a result of the implementation of the project.

Interventions to enhance testing and linkage to treatment for hepatitis C infection for people who inject drugs: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

With the advent of direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapies for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV), the World Health Organization recommended a goal to eliminate HCV as a public health threat globally by 2030. With the majority of new and existing infections in high income countries occurring among people who inject drugs, achieving this goal will require the design and implementation of interventions which address the unique barriers to HCV care faced by this population.

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched bibliographic databases and conference abstracts to July 21, 2020 for studies assessing interventions to improve the following study outcomes: HCV antibody testing, HCV RNA testing, linkage to care, and treatment initiation. We included both randomised and non-randomised studies which included a comparator arm. We excluded studies which enrolled only paediatric populations (<18 years old) and studies where the intervention was conducted in a different healthcare setting than the control or comparator. This analysis was restricted to studies conducted among people who inject drugs. Data were extracted from the identified records and meta-analysis was used to pool the effect of interventions on study outcomes. This study was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020178035).

FINDINGS

Of 15,342 unique records, 45 studies described the implementation of an intervention to improve HCV testing, linkage to care and treatment initiation among people who inject drugs. These included 27 randomised trials and 18 non-randomised studies with the risk of bias rated as "critical" for most non-randomised studies. Patient education and patient navigation to address patient-level barriers to HCV care were shown to improve antibody testing uptake and linkage to HCV care respectively although patient education did not improve antibody testing when restricted to randomised studies. Provider care coordination to address provider level barriers to HCV care was effective at improving antibody testing uptake. Three different interventions to address systems-level barriers to HCV care were effective across different stages of HCV care: point-of-care antibody testing (linkage to care); dried blood-spot testing (antibody testing uptake); and integrated care (linkage to care and treatment initiation).

INTERPRETATION

Multiple interventions are available that can address the barriers to HCV care for people who inject drugs at the patient-, provider-, and systems-level. The design of models of care to improve HCV testing and treatment among people who inject drugs must consider the unique barriers to care that this population faces. Further research, including high-quality randomised controlled trials, are needed to robustly assess the impact these interventions can have in varied populations and settings.

Innovations in education: A prospective study of storytelling narratives to enhance hepatitis C virus knowledge among substance users

BACKGROUND

Even though substance users have the highest hepatitis C virus (HCV) burden, many lack knowledge about the infection. Lack of knowledge is an important obstacle to pursuing HCV care. Although printed materials are conventionally utilized to disseminate HCV-related knowledge, narrative story-telling videos may be an alternative. Data are extremely limited, however, in the ability of storytelling videos to increase HCV knowledge among substance users. In this study, we hypothesized that a story-telling narrative video would increase substance user’s immediate and 1-month HCV-related knowledge compared to a printed format.

AIM

To assess immediate and 1-month HCV-related knowledge retention among substance users comparing education delivered via a storytelling narrative video compared to a printed format.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective matched, case-control study among substance users actively prescribed buprenorphine enrolled from two sites. The intervention site received the video and the control site, the brochure. Participants (n = 176) were matched on age, gender, and race. We obtained extensive patient and stakeholder input on the video’s design, validated the video’s content, and developed a recruitment plan to guide participant enrollment. Knowledge was assessed by administration of a 25-item instrument immediately before, immediately after, or one month after the intervention. Data were analyzed using nonparametric and generalized linear mixed-effects models.

RESULTS

We recruited a total of 176 substance users, 90 and 86 individuals, from each site, respectively. One-month follow up occurred in 92% and 94% of enrollees in the control and intervention groups, respectively. In comparison with the pre-intervention scores, immediate knowledge recall increased significantly for both the intervention (P < 0.0001) and control (P < 0.0001) groups. Multivariate modeling revealed a significant improvement in HCV-related knowledge and retention (P = 0.033) among participants who viewed the storytelling video.

CONCLUSION

Storytelling narratives emphasizing HCV education appear to be an effective method to increase HCV-related knowledge among substance users. They should become an educational cornerstone to promote HCV management among this population.

Interventions to enhance testing, linkage to care, and treatment initiation for hepatitis C virus infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Despite the goal set by WHO to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a public health threat, uptake of HCV testing and treatment remains low. To achieve this target, evidence-based interventions are needed to address the barriers to care for people with, or at risk of, HCV infection. We aimed to assess the efficacy of interventions to improve HCV antibody testing, HCV RNA testing, linkage to HCV care, and treatment initiation.

METHODS

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and PsycINFO without language restrictions for reports published between database inception and July 21, 2020, assessing the following primary outcomes: HCV antibody testing; HCV RNA testing; linkage to HCV care; and direct-acting antiviral treatment initiation. We also searched key conference abstracts. We included randomised and non-randomised studies assessing non-pharmaceutical interventions that included a comparator or control group. Studies were excluded if they enrolled only paediatric populations (aged <18 years) or if they conducted the intervention in a different health-care setting to that of the control or comparator. Authors were contacted to clarify study details and to obtain additional population-level data. Data were extracted from the records identified into a pre-piloted and standardised data extraction form and a random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool the effects of the interventions on study outcomes. This study is registered in PROSPERO, CRD42020178035.

FINDINGS

Of 15 342 unique records identified, 142 were included, which reported on 148 unique studies (47 randomised controlled trials and 101 non-randomised studies). Medical chart reminders, provider education, and point-of-care antibody testing significantly improved at least three study outcomes compared with a comparator or control. Interventions that simplified HCV testing, including dried blood spot testing, point-of-care antibody testing, reflex RNA testing, and opt-out screening, significantly improved testing outcomes compared with a comparator or control. Enhanced patient and provider support through patient education, provider care coordination, and provider education also significantly improved testing outcomes compared with a comparator or control. Integrated care and patient navigation or care coordination significantly improved linkage to care and the uptake of direct-acting antiviral treatment compared with a comparator or control.

INTERPRETATION

Several interventions to improve HCV care that address several key barriers to HCV care were identified. New models of HCV care must be designed and implemented to address the barriers faced by the population of interest. Further high-quality research, including rigorously designed randomised studies, is still needed in key populations.

FUNDING

None.

A multimedia multilanguage web-based platform can assess and increase the awareness on HCV infection of Pakistani people living in Italy

Global eradication of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is hindered by infection persistence among high-prevalence ethnic groups with insufficient access to care. Educational interventions to raise awareness on HCV have led to identification of submerged HCV cases. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based platform to assess and raise the awareness of HCV among Pakistani people living in northern Italy. We created a website in Italian and Urdu language (https://survey-hcv6.webnode.it), and shared it to Pakistani people in Emilia-Romagna through Facebook groups. Participants had to fill a 15-item questionnaire on HCV infection, then watch a video on HCV, and respond to the questionnaire again. McNemar's chi-square and negative binomial multivariable regression analysis yielding incidence rate ratio (IRR) were applied. 339 subjects from 600 (57%) participated and filled the baseline questionnaire. The knowledge on HCV infection was scanty. For instance, 32% were not aware of HCV, 42% only knew that HCV infection may be long term, and only 14% knew the access to DAA treatment is provided by the Health Service. Independent predictors of worse knowledge on HCV were male gender (IRR 1.19), low instruction level (IRR 1.26), Urdu language preference (IRR 1.22), past use of intravenous drugs (1.2) and no previous HCV testing (IRR 1.36). The educational video significantly improved the knowledge on HCV among 67 subjects who refilled the questionnaire, as 97% were later aware of HCV, 99% of the long-term duration of HCV infection and 93% of the access to DAAs provided by Italian Health Service. We found a modest level of knowledge on HCV infection among Pakistani people in northern Italy, identifying predictors of worse awareness. We provided a multimedia platform which significantly improved the knowledge on HCV infection. Consequently, this approach might translate into an improved linkage to care.

Within-subject evaluation of interim buprenorphine treatment during waitlist delays

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of opioid agonist treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) is well established, and delays to treatment are still common, particularly in rural geographic areas. In a randomized 12-week pilot study, we demonstrated initial efficacy of a technology-assisted Interim Buprenorphine Treatment (IBT) vs. continued waitlist control (WLC) for reducing illicit opioid use and other risk behaviors during waitlist delays. Upon completion of that parent trial, WLC participants were given the opportunity to receive 12 weeks of IBT, permitting an additional within-subject examination of IBT effects.

METHODS

Sixteen WLC participants crossed over to receive IBT, involving buprenorphine maintenance with bi-monthly visits, medication administration at home via a computerized device, daily monitoring calls using an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) phone system, and IVR-generated random call-backs. Biochemically-verified illicit opioid abstinence, changes in psychosocial functioning, and HIV + HCV knowledge were examined among participants originally randomized to the WLC phase and who subsequently crossed over to IBT (IBTc).

RESULTS

Participants submitted a higher percentage of illicit opioid negative specimens at Weeks 4, 8, and 12 during IBT (75 %, 63 %, and 50 %) vs. WLC (0%, 0%, and 0%), respectively (p's<.01). Participants also demonstrated improvements in anxiety, depression, and HIV and HCV knowledge (p's<.01). Medication administration, daily IVR call and random call-back adherence and treatment satisfaction were also favorable.

CONCLUSIONS

This within-subject evaluation provides additional support for interim buprenorphine's efficacy in reducing illicit opioid use and improving health outcomes during waitlist delays for more comprehensive treatment.

Translation and validation study of the Polish version of the Brief Hepatitis C Knowledge Scale

INTRODUCTION

Chronic hepatitis C (HCV), considered by the World Health Organization as one of the greatest epidemiological health hazards, often with asymptomatic clinical course and one which, due to scanty knowledge, remains a crucial risk factor of serious chronic HCV infection complications. The purpose of this study is to validate the psychometric properties of the Polish version of the validated Brief Hepatitis C Knowledge Scale (BHCKS_PL), developed by Balfour in 2009.

METHODS

The study, conducted from May to July 2018, included 246 persons (68,69% females), divided into four subgroups: patients (n = 86), nursing students (n = 74), medical students (n = 28), healthcare workers (nurses and doctors; n = 58). The 19-items questionnaire contained questions designed to assess general knowledge regarding hepatitis C and the transmission risk factors.

RESULTS

An evaluation by means of multiple comparisons in pairs showed that there were significant differences in the knowledge level between the group of patients and the group of nursing students (Mdn: 14.0 vs 11.0, z = 7.713, P<0.001), and between students of medicine (Mdn: 16.0 vs 11.0, z = 0.339, P<0.001) and healthcare workers (17.0 vs 11.0, z = 11.447, P<0.001). Moreover, significant differences were observed between the groups of students of nursing and medicine (Mdn: 14.0 vs 16.0, z = 3.646, P = 0.002) and healthcare workers (Mdn: 14.0 vs 17.0, z = 4.117, P<0.001). No significant differences in the knowledge level between the students of medicine and healthcare workers were observed (z = 0.377, P = 1.000).

CONCLUSIONS

The completed validation suggests good BHCKS_P psychometric characteristics with the internal consistency convergent and known-groups validity. The questionnaire can be used in educational practice. The obtained results of the measurement provide information about the studied person based on the total score.

Determinants of hepatitis C antiviral effectiveness awareness among people who inject drugs in the direct-acting antiviral era

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Although people who inject drugs (PWID) are at greatest risk of hepatitis C (HCV), treatment uptake in this population has historically been low. Highly effective direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatments for HCV have recently become available. Our aim was to assess the awareness among PWID of these new therapies and their effectiveness.

METHODS

A national survey of PWID attending injecting equipment provision sites in Scotland during 2015-2016 included questions to gauge the awareness in this population of antiviral treatment and the high cure rates associated with new therapies (defined here as >80%).

RESULTS

Among 2623 PWID, 92% had ever been tested for HCV. After excluding those ever treated for HCV (n = 226), 79% were aware of HCV treatment. Awareness was more likely among those who had ever been tested and self-reported either a positive (adjusted odds ratio: 16.04, 95%CI 10.57-24.33) or negative (3.11, 2.30-4.22) test result, compared to those who were never tested. The minority of all respondents (17%) were aware of high cure rates. This awareness was more likely among those who had ever been in HCV specialist care (9.76, 5.13-18.60) and those who had not been in specialist care but had been tested and self-reported either a positive (3.91, 2.20-7.53) or negative (2.55, 1.35-4.81) test result, compared to those who had never been tested.

CONCLUSION

We found poor awareness of the high cure rates associated with DAAs among PWID in Scotland, despite relatively high rates of HCV testing in this population. Increased effort is needed to ensure population groups with high risk of HCV infection are fully informed of the highly effective antiviral medications now available to treat this chronic disease.

Practical steps to improve chronic hepatitis C treatment in people with opioid use disorder

OBJECTIVES

People with a history of injecting drugs have high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and many have opioid use disorder (OUD). Modern HCV therapies with improved efficacy and tolerability are available, but access is often limited for this group, who may be underserved for health care and face social inequity. This work develops practical steps to improve HCV care in this population.

METHODS

Practical steps to improve HCV care in OUD populations were developed based on clinical experience from Spain, structured assessment of published evidence.

RESULTS

Options for improving care at engagement/screening stages include patient education programs, strong provider-patient relationship, peer support, and adoption of rapid effective screening tools. To facilitate work up/treatment, start options include simplified work up process, integration of HCV and OUD care, and continuous psychosocial support prior, during, and after HCV treatment.

CONCLUSION

It is important to plan on local basis to set up a joint integrated approach between specific drug treatment services and local points of HCV care. The elements for a specific integrated program should be chosen from options identified, including education services, peer input, organization to make HCV screening and treatment easier by co-location of services, and wider access to prescribing direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy.

A novel mHealth application for improving HIV and Hepatitis C knowledge in individuals with opioid use disorder: A pilot study

AIMS

There is a critical need to reduce infectious disease transmission among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). Here we examine the ability of a novel, automated educational intervention, delivered via iPad in a single visit, to improve human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) knowledge among adults with OUD.

METHODS

Participants were 25 adults enrolled in a 12-week trial evaluating the efficacy of an Interim Buprenorphine Treatment for reducing illicit opioid use and other risk behaviors during delays to opioid treatment. Participants completed baseline HIV and HCV knowledge assessments with corrective feedback. They then completed an interactive HIV flipbook and HCV video followed by a second administration of the knowledge assessments. The knowledge assessments were repeated at post-intake Weeks 4 and 12.

RESULTS

At baseline, participants answered 69% and 65% of items correctly on the HIV and HCV assessments, respectively. The educational intervention was associated with significant increases in knowledge (86% and 86% correct on the HIV and HCV assessments, respectively; p's<.001). These improvements persisted throughout the study, with scores at Week 4 and 12 significantly greater than baseline (p's<.001).

CONCLUSION

This HIV+Hepatitis Education intervention was associated with significant and sustained improvements in knowledge of HIV + HCV transmission and risk behaviors in this vulnerable group of individuals with OUD. Given the continuing opioid epidemic, efforts are urgently needed to reduce HIV and HCV contraction and transmission among individuals with OUD. Mobile health educational interventions may offer a time- and cost-effective approach for addressing these risks.

Video-based patient decision aids: A scoping review

OBJECTIVE

This study reviews the published literature on the use of video-based decision aids (DA) for patients. The authors describe the areas of medicine in which video-based patient DA have been evaluated, the medical decisions targeted, their reported impact, in which countries studies are being conducted, and publication trends.

METHOD

The literature review was conducted systematically using Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsychInfo, and Pubmed databases from inception to 2016. References of identified studies were reviewed, and hand-searches of relevant journals were conducted.

RESULTS

488 studies were included and organized based on predefined study characteristics. The most common decisions addressed were cancer screening, risk reduction, advance care planning, and adherence to provider recommendations. Most studies had sample sizes of fewer than 300, and most were performed in the United States. Outcomes were generally reported as positive. This field of study was relatively unknown before 1990s but the number of studies published annually continues to increase.

CONCLUSION

Videos are largely positive interventions but there are significant remaining knowledge gaps including generalizability across populations.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Clinicians should consider incorporating video-based DA in their patient interactions. Future research should focus on less studied areas and the mechanisms underlying effective patient decision aids.