Link Hepatitis C Notifications to Treatment in Tasmania

A Randomised Controlled Trial of Active Case Management to Link Hepatitis C Notifications to Hepatitis C Treatment in Tasmania

This project will utilise the notification process as a point of intervention to work with primary practitioners (GP) by contacting them directly when a notification of hepatitis C exposure is received by the Tasmanian department of Health (DoH). A designated role will exist within DoH of a specialist HCV health worker to contact GPs to provide supported assistance in the process of the follow up hepatitis C diagnoses with patients. The study will evaluate whether active follow up of providers with enhanced case management is effective in having patients linked to hepatitis C treatment compared to current standard of care of surveillance for new notifications. The study will also compare the cost-effectiveness of this approach compared to current standard of care after one of their patients is notified with a positive hepatitis C antibody result.

Inclusion Criteria:

• General Practitioners (GP) who have requested a hepatitis C test that leads to new or repeat notification to the Tasmanian Department of Health

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not based in Tasmania
• Practitioner from correctional service
• Specialist
• Nurse practitioner who initiated test
• Sexual health service doctor
• Family planning
• Trainee