Improving Shared Healthcare for Methadone Patients with Hepatitis C

NDARC Staff

Erol Digiusto, Julia Purchas and Richard Mattick

Other Investigators

Robert Batey, Rowena Friend, Pooba Govender, Robert Anderson, Paul Webster, Sally McKenna, Paul McGeown, Jack Kehoe, Francis Haldar, Martin Veysey, Andrew Eakin, John Wenman, Mark Cornwell, Jenny McDonald, John Quin

Aims

This study is evaluating an intervention process the aim of which is to develop and sustainably establish a collaborative shared-care environment which optimally supports methadone patients in undertaking diagnostic assessment and antiviral therapy for hepatitis C. More specific aims are to increase the number of methadone patients who (a) undertake diagnostic assessment, (b) are referred to hepatitis C antiviral therapy services, (c) are assessed as being suitable for antiviral therapy, and (d) undertake and adhere to antiviral therapy.

Design and Method

We are conducting this study through methadone and hepatitis C clinics in NSW metropolitan and regional locations in order to compare the process and outcomes of Usual Care (at Control locations) with the effects of Collaborative Shared Care (at Intervention locations). The Intervention involves identifying site-specific service development and shared-care goals with the clinicians at the methadone and hepatitis clinics; visiting the intervention sites to conduct training sessions and discuss relevant clinical guidelines; regularly communicating with intervention-site clinicians to monitor and support implementation of the agreed service development processes; regularly contacting recruited patients to monitor their progress.

Progress

Nine methadone clinics linked to six hepatitis C therapy services are participating in the study, training workshops have been conducted, and patient recruitment is underway.

Funding

NSW Health - anonymous charitable foundation.