Hepatitis C management by addiction medicine physicians: results from a national survey

J Subst Abuse Treat. 2007 Jul;33(1):99-105. doi: 10.1016/j.jsat.2006.12.001. Epub 2007 Mar 26.

Abstract

Drug users are disproportionately affected by hepatitis C virus (HCV), yet they face barriers to health care that place them at risk for levels of HCV-related care that are lower than those of nondrug users. Substance abuse treatment physicians may treat more HCV-infected persons than other generalist physicians, yet little is known about how such physicians facilitate HCV-related care. We conducted a nationwide survey of American Society of Addiction Medicine physicians (n = 320) to determine substance abuse physicians' HCV-related management practices and to describe factors associated with these practices. We found that substance abuse treatment physicians promote several elements of HCV-related care, including screening for HCV antibodies, recommending vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, and referring patients to subspecialists for HCV treatment. Substance abuse physicians who also provide primary medical or HIV-related care were most likely to facilitate HCV-related care. A significant minority of physicians were either providing HCV antiviral treatment or willing to provide HCV antiviral treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Comorbidity
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Data Collection
  • Delivery of Health Care*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • Hepatitis A Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines / therapeutic use
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies / blood
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / rehabilitation*
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening
  • Medicine*
  • Mental Health Services
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians'
  • Primary Health Care
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Specialization*
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / epidemiology
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / rehabilitation*
  • United States

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Hepatitis A Vaccines
  • Hepatitis B Vaccines
  • Hepatitis C Antibodies