Title : Evaluating provider perceived improved hepatitis-c management skills after hybrid scan-echoeducational series
Abstract:
Background and Purpose: Hepatitis-C is a viral infection leading to chronic liver inflammation or cirrhosis that can be potentially fatal. However, the disease is treatable, and it is thus alarming that this highly manageable and treatable disease continues to needlessly end lives because those
infected are often not readily screened, diagnosed, treated, and managed effectively. Although the segment of the population known as the birth cohort (those born between 1945-1965) are disproportionately impacted by Hepatitis-C (HCV), many are not readily screened, diagnosed,
treated, and managed successfully over time.
Model and Methods: The Associate Chief of Division of Infectious Diseases at the large urban VA Medical Center (VAMC), which was the setting for the project, sought the implementation of the QI project. The purpose was the need for evaluation of the perceptions of improved HCV patient care management skills competency by the PCPs because of having participated in the hybrid SCAN-ECHO educational series. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student researcher collaborated with the Chief to outline the details before proceeding to conduct the QI project. The Chief was also quite helpful in providing feedback on the survey instrument that was adapted for use in this QI project.
Process Change: Twenty-one primary care providers (PCPs) participated in a hybrid Specialty Care Access Network-Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (SCAN-ECHO) educational and management series starting in 2016. Subsequently, they were invited to complete an anonymous online survey via SurveyMonkey regarding their related perceptions of increased competency in the identification, screening, diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of patients with Hepatitis-C.
Results: Ten (48%) PCPs completed the online survey. Descriptive analysis showed that the vast majority (90%) felt that participation in the hybrid SCAN-ECHO educational series positively impacted the following: (1) confidence in knowledge about Hepatitis-C and chronic disease, (2) confidence in Hepatitis-C management skills; and (3) attitudes towards HCV patient care.
Conclusions: Exposing PCPs to experts such as through a hybrid SCAN-ECHO educational and management series can augment their knowledge and skills in the identification, screening, diagnosis, treatment and ongoing management of patients with Hepatitis-C. In turn, they will report overall positive attitudes about the importance of HCV patient care strategies and practices.
