The Future of Hep B Care?

Improving Hep B Care

Can you help us to improve chronic HBV monitoring and treatment?

Chronic hepatitis B currently has no cure, but there are effective treatment options available to manage the disease. Unfortunately, 84% of the 14,400 people living with hep B in South Australia are not engaged in recommended monitoring and treatment programs, putting them at risk of disease progression. If left untreated, over time hep B can cause life-threatening liver damage and/or liver cancer. The virus goes through differing phases in the body, and regular monitoring every six months is crucial in determining when treatment is required. If the virus is monitored regularly and the treatment plans are followed, then most people living with hep B can live long, healthy lives. So why are so many people not receiving correct care? Chronic hepatitis B is a complex disease, and these complexities require a robust system to ensure people get the care they require, and do not fall through the gaps. GPs must be knowledgeable about who to test and how to monitor patients. Patients, most often from highprevalence communities where English is not their first language, must receive clear, trusted and culturally appropriate information about hep B monitoring and treatment. Specialists need to be accessible to patients, including those living in regional and remote areas. How can we improve linkages to healthcare for people living with hep B? A registry database in SA has been proposed as a useful healthcare tool to help expand the capacity of the health system to improve the health of hep B patients. Such a registry for chronic hepatitis B patients could improve their access to care and ensure lifelong disease monitoring is achievable. This registry would enable a shared support system for patients consisting of GPs, viral hepatitis nurses and specialist clinicians. This combined network would strengthen care to all people living with hep B and combat barriers to ongoing care currently faced by patients. The viability of developing a registry is dependent upon whether people living with hep B would be supportive of it and willing to join. That is why I am developing a survey to determine the acceptability of a registry system for South Australians living with chronic hepatitis B. I want to hear your opinions on a registry and other ideas on how to improve the monitoring and treatment of hep B in South Australia. I will be inviting people over 18 years old affected by chronic hepatitis B to take the online survey. I am interested in hearing from people who are living with chronic hepatitis B, as well as people directly affected by someone living with chronic hepatitis B. It should take 5-10 minutes to finish and will be completely anonymous. The survey will be open in July 2020. Keep an eye on the Hepatitis SA website for a link to the survey. v

Tom Freeman

Tom Freeman is a Master of Public Health student at Flinders University