2563. The Impact of HCV Educational Training on HIV Providers’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Uptake of Treatment Initiation in HCV/HIV Co-infected Patients

Abstract Background Few HIV clinics train HIV providers on initiation of HCV treatment for their coinfected patients. We sought to evaluate the changes in comfort levels, attitude and knowledge of HCV evaluation and treatment among providers over time and track the uptake of treatment initiation. Me...

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Published in:Open forum infectious diseases 2019-10, Vol.6 (Supplement_2), p.S890-S890
Main Authors: Lau, Abby A, Sura, Teena, Vasudeven, Anupama, Chavez, Claudia, Hansen, Laura, Jain, Mamta
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Abstract Background Few HIV clinics train HIV providers on initiation of HCV treatment for their coinfected patients. We sought to evaluate the changes in comfort levels, attitude and knowledge of HCV evaluation and treatment among providers over time and track the uptake of treatment initiation. Methods Our program was implemented in an urban, Ryan-White outpatient clinic in 2018. Providers were given initial didactics and completed a survey that assessed their level of comfort and knowledge with treating HCV. We developed pocket cards and flow charts to help providers navigate the HCV cascade to cure. Additional training one year later through presentations and case-based discussions was given and the same survey was conducted again. We evaluated the number of HCV evaluation visits in 2018 and prescriptions written for HCV treatment. Results The first survey was completed by 21 and the second by 20 out of 28 providers; 70% attended at least one of the trainings. After the initial training, 38% of providers felt “confident” about discussing liver disease progression which increased to 50% after the second training. Similarly, 48% of providers felt “somewhat comfortable” talking about HIV/HCV drug interactions which increased to 80%. 33% of providers noted they were “not comfortable” discussing drug interactions which decreased to 15%. Approximately 1/3 providers felt “confident” talking about HCV treatment in both surveys. About 20% of providers disagreed with treating HIV/HCV patients with active substance use and this did not change. The median knowledge score was 7 (IQR) (6–9) after the first survey and changed to 8(5–9) after the second. Between 2018–2019, 81 HCV evaluation visits were scheduled and 64 (80% Male, 53% Black, 39% uninsured, 23% Medicaid, 73% with history of substance use) were completed and 69% of patients were prescribed HCV treatment. Among all HIV providers, 89% completed a median of 1 (1–3) HCV evaluation visits, and 71% prescribed treatment a median of 1 (1–2). Conclusion Implementation of HCV training to all HIV providers requires continued education and resulted in the initiation of HCV evaluation and treatment amongst the large majority of HIV providers who had previously never treated HCV. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.
ISSN:2328-8957
2328-8957
DOI:10.1093/ofid/ofz360.2241