Pathway improves access to Hep C diagnosis, treatment

Albertans can now receive Hepatitis C screening and treatment through their family doctor, improving and expediting access to services previously available only through an appointment with a specialist.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) collaborated with physicians and allied health providers to develop a new care pathway for diagnosing and treating the disease, which primarily affects the liver.

Implementation and spread of the Hepatitis C pathway to primary care providers is one component of a grant funded jointly by Alberta Health and AHS to provide primary care supports for patients with digestive health conditions.

The care pathway gives family physicians the tools and resources needed to assess if a patient is at risk for Hepatitis C and, if required, order a blood test, with results typically available within a few days. In many instances, family physicians can also provide subsequent treatment with no referral to a specialist required.

“Albertans with Hepatitis C now have significantly improved access to advice and treatments that could improve their quality of life and even save their lives,” says Dr. Mark Swain, Head of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Calgary.

Before the pathway, Albertans would need to book appointments with a specialist, often outside of their community, for assessment, testing and treatment. This barrier prevented many people at high risk of contracting Hepatitis C, or with the disease, from seeking care.

“People with a history of injection drug use, of incarceration and of high-risk sexual behaviours are among those at high risk of contracting Hepatitis C,” says Dr. Swain.

“These individuals are much less likely to attend specialist appointments with an unfamiliar provider, at a distance from where they live, at future dates. The benefit of the pathway is that it dramatically reduces the barriers to these patients getting treated. Patients at risk are screened, and those who are found to have Hepatitis C get effective treatment right away from their primary care provider. This will improve health outcomes for patients with Hepatitis C.”

More than 43,000 Albertans have chronic Hepatitis C. Without timely treatment, they could develop complications, including liver cancer, and possibly require a liver transplant.

The pathway was conceived by the AHS public health team and AHS’ Digestive Health Strategic Clinical Network (SCN). It includes many resources and supports for family physicians, including the ability to consult with specialists through videoconferencing about diagnosing and treating the disease.

“Timely care, closer to home, will benefit all Hepatitis C patients, especially those from rural communities who no longer need to travel to a major centre to get the care they need,” says Leanne Reeb, Executive Director of the Digestive Health SCN.

Calgary family physician Dr. Julia Carter says, before the pathway, she always referred patients with Hepatitis C to see a specialist

“Knowing that this pathway provides evidence-based guidance gives me confidence to treat my patients with Hepatitis C without referring them, which improves their experience, ensures good continuity of care and enables me to start treatment sooner,” she says.

Albertans are encouraged to learn whether they are at risk for Hepatitis C. Visit https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=hw144584&lang=enca for more information on risk factors, signs and symptoms.

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.