Developing an implementation strategy for a systematic hepatitis C screening program in hospital inpatient units
This capstone project is in collaboration with the Toronto Viral Hepatitis Care Network (VIRCAN), a program based out of the Toronto Centre for Liver Disease that aims to address and eliminate barriers in the diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis.
Our research team brings together VIRCAN’s expertise and resources in viral hepatitis diagnosis and treatment with the Translational Research Program’s patient-centred approach to problem-solving, to develop a model of point-of-care hepatitis C screening that is well-aligned with patient needs and values and integrates effectively into existing clinical workflows.
Background
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important health challenge in Canada that has been associated with more years of life lost than any other infectious disease. Left untreated, chronic HCV infection can result in liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications offer greater than 95% cure rates for HCV infection with limited side effects. However, HCV infections often remain asymptomatic until the development of advanced liver disease or liver cancer. As such, screening for hepatitis C is critical for enabling the opportunity to cure individuals of HCV before the development of advanced liver disease.
In Canada, there are significant gaps in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C: in 2019, 25% of people who have ever had hepatitis C were not aware of their infection, and only 30% of people living with chronic hepatitis C were treated. To address these gaps, increased HCV testing and improved linkage-to-care are needed.
In order to address this public health challenge, this capstone project will support the potential introduction of a systematic point-of-care hepatitis C screening program in inpatient units at the Toronto General Hospital and Toronto Western Hospital, through the development of a proposed hepatitis C screening test model and strategy.
Project team
- Christina Wong