title: Psychosocial issues in hepatitis C: a qualitative analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite demonstrated prevalence of psychosocial problems among hepatitis C (HCV) patients, little is known about how these problems develop, why they are sustained, and how clinical providers can effectively intervene.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The authors used a qualitative approach to investigate the nature of psychosocial issues in HCV.
  
  
  METHODS
  Focus groups were conducted with HCV patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants discussed significant feelings of anger, depression, and stigma associated with the diagnosis and noted that these feelings/experiences isolated them from potential sources of social support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results have important implications for clinical providers and suggest pathways by which HCV-related psychosocial factors may interact with and affect quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Center for Management of Complex Chronic Care (151H), Hines VA Hospital, P.O. Box 5000, Hines, IL 60141, USA. Elizabeth.Janke@va.gov
authors.forename: E Amy
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Janke
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McGraw
authors.forename: Guadalupe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Garcia-Tsao
authors.forename: Liana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fraenkel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000786:Anger; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups / Q000379:methods; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D013240:Stereotyping