A telephone intervention to re-engage patients with positive hepatitis C antibody tests at an academic medical center
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background A hepatitis C virus (HCV) microelimination project at our institution identified a substanial number of patients who tested positive for HCV antibodies (Abs) without subsequent confirmatory HCV RNA testing. Objectives The objectives of this study were to (1) implement a telephone intervention to re-engage patients with positive HCV Ab results and (2) assess patients' understanding of HCV disease progression, testing, and treatment. Methods Patients were eligible for study inclusion if they were aged 18 years and older and had a positive HCV Ab test without documented confirmatory HCV RNA testing between January 2019 and December 2020. Eligible patients were contacted by phone and offered study participation. Participants completed a survey that assessed their awareness of HCV status, knowledge of HCV infection, and understanding of current treatment options. After survey completion, investigators provided a short 5-minute educational intervention, which covered these same concepts. Participants were offered HCV confirmatory testing. Re-engagement was measured based on the completion of the HCV RNA. Results Study investigators attempted to contact 563 patients. Of those, only 45 patients could be reached; 20 agreed to complete the survey (44% response rate). There was a delay between the generation of the potential participant list and the implementation of the intervention. The median age of participants was 47 years; 55% were male and 55% were white. Most patients (82%) had an annual income of less than $35k. Age, gender, education, and annual income were not associated with obtaining confirmatory HCV RNA testing; however, being white was associated with higher rates of confirmatory testing ( P = 0.046). Six patients still lacked confirmatory testing at the time of study participation; all agreed to confirmatory testing, but none had completed it at 6 months after the intervention. Conclusion A telephone intervention was not successful in re-engaging patients in care for HCV. This study highlights the complexity of reaching this patient population and the need for interventions that minimize barriers in the HCV continuum of care.
Source: JAPhA Practice Innovations
Institutions: University of New Mexico Hospital, University of New Mexico
Language: English
Topic: Hepatitis C virus research
Subfield: Hepatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $850
OpenAlex ID: W4410708178