About us
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.
Team members
Project Advisory Committee
Sandra Palmaro
Sandra has spent more than 25 years in leadership positions in the corporate, not for profit, and education sectors. After 14 years with Microsoft Canada, Sandra held leadership roles at SickKids Foundation, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and, most recently, at Wilfrid Laurier University.
Emily Tam
Emily is a registered Nutritionist/Dietitian who provides nutrition counselling using an approach founded on the principles of collaborating with clients to identify realistic goals and supporting them in implementing their individualized nutrition plans. She is especially passionate about supporting people to achieve recovery from disordered eating and eating disorders.
Anita Federici
Dr. Anita Federici is a Clinical Psychologist and the Owner of The Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation, a private Clinic specializing in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders, personality disorders, and trauma. Anita has an established reputation for her work as a therapist, clinical trainer, researcher, program director and consultant.
TRP Supervisors
Dr. Joseph Ferenbok
Driven to improve patient care, Prof. Ferenbok catapults projects forward with passion, wisdom, and a contagious chuckle. He is an Associate Director of the Health Innovation Hub, a Faculty of Medicine initiative intended to connect, align, serve, and facilitate the translation, innovation, and commercialization of 'Health Matters'.
Dr. Edyta Marcon
Edyta loves to encounter new questions, apply new knowledge, and meet new people. As a Senior Research Associate at the U of T Donnelly Centre, she currently studies how RNA modifications regulate gene expression and how they relate to human health and disease. Her interests extend beyond the laboratory into the application of scientific research using human centric design thinking.
