Assessment of a hepatitis educational group for veterans with substance use disorders.
BACKGROUND
In 2005 the substance use disorders (SUD) clinic at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center launched the Liver Health Initiative in an effort to improve hepatitis education, screening, prevention, and treatment referral services for veterans receiving SUD services. One component of the Liver Health Initiative is an hour-long educational group; the Healthy Liver Group.


OBJECTIVE
After the Healthy Liver Group was firmly established, an evaluation took place in order to measure: 1) change in patient knowledge, 2) participant satisfaction, and 3) attitudes toward hepatitis A and B vaccinations.


METHODS
From August 2007 to May 2008, 102 veterans filled out a paper survey before and after their experience in the Healthy Liver Group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this survey show an increase in basic knowledge of hepatitis, high levels of patient satisfaction, and strong acceptance of vaccinations for hepatitis A and B. Overall, the survey indicates that the Healthy Liver Group is providing an important service and is generally well accepted by patients.
Hagedorn
Hildi
H
Substance Use Disorders Quality Enhancement Research Initiative, Minneapolis Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417, USA. hildi.hagedorn@va.gov
Leighton
Tabitha
T
Heim
LeeAnn
L
D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015397:Program Evaluation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D014481:United States; D014493:United States Department of Veterans Affairs; D014728:Veterans; D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines
D014761:Viral Hepatitis Vaccines