Treating HCV- Learning The Basics

HCV- Learning The Basics

Happy Tuesday folks, hope you all had a great weekend. Since a new week is just beginning why not try something new by using an online learning activity to gain additional knowledge about HCV?

The HCV landscape is quickly changing, with many new investigational agents making their way to FDA approval, and newer treatments now available that require shorter treatment duration, less side effects and higher cure rates. 

In order to gain a better understand of treating HCV, a review of the basics, especially treatment response, is a necessary first step. By doing so, participating in the decision process and communicating with a healthcare provider is made easier, if treatment is needed.

A good  place to start is with this video presentation by The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) which include eight modules discussing the following topics;

Modules 

Hepatitis C

• Module 1: HCV: Epidemiology and Screening
• Module 2: Patient with New Diagnosis of HCV (anti-HCV positive)
• Module 3. Assessing Severity of Liver Disease in HCV
• Module 4: Management of the Patient with Chronic HCV
• Module 5. Management of the Chronic HCV Patient with Co-Morbid and Other Conditions
• Module 6. Antiviral Treatment of the Patient with HCV Infection
• Module 7. Management of Patients with HCV who have achieved a Virological "Cure"
• Module 8. The Pediatric Patient with HCV

** The CME offers information on hepatitis B as well. 

Hepatitis B

• Module 1: HBV: Epidemiology and Screening
• Module 2: Patient with Positive Hepatitis B Serologies
• Module 3. Natural History of HBV and Identification of Treatment Candidates
• Module 4. Management of the Chronic HBV Patient with Co-Morbid and Other Conditions
• Module 5: Antiviral treatment of the Patient with Chronic HBV
• Module 6: Prevention of HBV Infection
• Module 7: Hepatitis B in the Pediatric Patient

Although the learning activity is for healthcare professionals, the savvy patient will benefit greatly from reviewing the program.

First time participants should register here, before clicking on the links provided below. After this is achieved, come back and follow the instructions for navigating the activity. The goal is to learn more about managing and treating HCV, since we are not healthcare professionals earning a CME credit, or taking the pretest isn't necessary. Skip these steps by using the following tips.

Navigating The Program

Register here, type in all required fields marked with the red asterisk *

Next, click here. 

After landing on the CME, click on; First step: Self needs-assessment questions

The user will be prompted to answer two questions, and asked to choose from a drop down menu under "Which Topics" answer as seen below. 

Click Submit

Click on the first module to view the video presentation; Module 1: HCV: Epidemiology and Screening

Click on "Presentation" ignore the pre-test, post-test or the evaluation form. 

After clicking on "Presentation" a pop up will appear asking you; Do you wish to receive credits for this activity? 

Respond with no. 

Another pop up will appear warning no credit will be issued for taking the CME.
Respond with, okay. 

The program will begin.

If you decide to only review one module, check out; Antiviral Treatment of the Patient with HCV Infection narrated by Dr. Michael Fried discussing current and new therapies for HCV. This module is newer, released on April 10, 2014. 

In addition, this month a new section was added to AASLD/IDSA recommendations for testing, managing, and treating Hepatitis C titled; When and in Whom to Initiate HCV Therapy. Recently, Alan Franciscus, Editor-in-Chief at HCV Advocate offered a review with commentary on the update, view the entire report here, on their website.

Finally, a self-study, interactive; Hepatitis C Online Course, covering other conditions related to the virus, disease progression, noninvasive tests for diagnosing liver fibrosis, treatment and so much more, is most certainly a valuable tool worth exploring. The course is provided by the University of Washington and includes a collaboration with the International Antiviral Society-USA (IAS-USA). Funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Enjoy, see you soon.
Tina