Evaluation of health care needs and patient satisfaction among hepatitis C patients treated at a hospital-based, viral hepatitis clinic.
OBJECTIVE
To define self-reported hepatitis C knowledge, health care needs, and patient satisfaction in a representative cohort of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected adults treated at a university hospital-based viral hepatitis clinic in Canada.


METHODS
A questionnaire package evaluating HCV knowledge, health care needs, and patient satisfaction was administered to 111 consecutive consenting HCV patients during their first and 10-month follow-up HCV clinic visits.


RESULTS
At their first HCV clinic visit, 52% of patients rated their current HCV knowledge as "fair" or "poor". Patients identified HCV education, quality medical care, medication coverage, and psychological counselling as important HCV health care needs. Health care satisfaction outcome data at 10-month follow-up indicated that patients felt significantly better informed, more satisfied, and more actively involved in their HCV health care.


CONCLUSIONS
A bio-psychosocial framework in which medical, psychological, educational, and social issues are addressed is desirable for optimal HCV health care.
Balfour
Louise
L
Viral Hepatitis Unit, Division of Infectious Diseases, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario. lbalfour@ottawahospital.on.ca
Cooper
Curtis
C
Tasca
Giorgio A
GA
Kane
Marie
M
Kowal
John
J
Garber
Gary
G
D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000523:psychology / Q000821:virology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires