title: Tangible resources for preparing patients for antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infected patients with coexisting mental health and/or substance abuse issues face significant barriers to treatment and are often deferred. This paper sought to highlight critical pre-treatment strategies and provide tangible resources for HCV clinicians to facilitate preparation and successful treatment of these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Guided by the clinical experience of our liver center, a large, tertiary academic medical center, and informed by the extant literature, we summarize pre-treatment strategies and specific resources and recommendations for HCV providers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four key pre-treatment strategies include: 1) screening for mental health/substance abuse issues using brief, reliable and validated instruments; 2) locating and establishing collaborative care with mental health and substance abuse specialists; 3) using a motivational interviewing communication style; and 4) addressing adherence-related issues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HCV clinicians are in a unique position to prepare patients with coexisting mental health and/or substance abuse issues for antiviral therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
authors.forename: Jason E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bonner
authors.forename: A Sidney
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Barritt
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Fried
authors.forename: Donna M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Evon
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D016743:Mental Competency; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents