title: Improving take-up of hepatitis C services.
abstract: Nursing and medical teams from a hepatology clinic and a general practice joined forces to address the issue of non-attendance at appointments by clients with hepatitis C who had been referred to the clinic by the general practice. The aim was to involve clients in the decision-making process. Joint guidelines were developed, taking into account the needs of clients and the aims of both service providers. Before the initiative, 91% of the client group was discharged after repeated non-attendance. After its implementation, this dropped to zero. Effective teamwork and client empowerment are the key strengths of the initiative.
authors.affiliation: St James's University Hospital, Leeds.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tiffen
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sheridan
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D003663:Decision Trees; D004739:England; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D005762:Gastroenterology / Q000458:organization & administration; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011209:Power, Psychological; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration