People who inject drugs represent approximately 90% of newly acquired hepatitis C (HCV) infections. This course aims to provide practitioners working in Drug and Alcohol settings with the skills and knowledge to diagnose HCV, manage comorbidities and treat HCV.
For addiction medicine physicians, general practitioners, nurse practitioners, nurses and other practitioners working in alcohol and other drug settings.
Learning Outcomes
- Describe risk factors for HCV, enabling discussions with clients around prevention and harm reduction
- Screen, order and interpret tests appropriately to diagnose chronic HCV infection
- Describe the recommended pre-treatment assessment, including liver disease staging
- Determine the appropriate antiviral therapy for treatment of HCV and explain treatment to patient
- Implement monitoring and post-treatment follow-up recommendations
This course will be delivered in three parts:
Part 1 consists of a 1.5-hour eLearning component introducing the learner to assessment, management and treatment of hepatitis C in drug and alcohol settings.
Part 2 consists of a three-hour interactive online training session building on the knowledge and skills gained in Part 1 through practical case discussions.
Part 3 consists of a tailored capacity strengthening toolkit including checklists for the assessment and treatment of HCV in drug and alcohol settings; local referral pathways and quick reference guides.
Workshop Presenters
Dr Xavier Mulenga
Addiction Psychiatry Registrar
North Sydney LHD
Chloe Layton
EC Nurse Coordinator
Burnet Institute
Adjunct Prof Darren Russell
Director of Sexual Health
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service
Accreditation
This education is a CPD Accredited Activity under the RACGP CPD Program. 40 points allocated.
This course is also endorsed by the ACN according to our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Endorsed Course Standards. It has been allocated 6 CPD Hours according to the Nursing and Midwifery Boards of Australia – Continuing Professional Development Standard.