title: Managing chronic hepatitis B - the role of the GP.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  General practitioners are critical to reducing the impact of chronic hepatitis B in the community. This study explored how GPs understand their role in chronic hepatitis B management.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured interviews were held with 26 GPs from five Australian jurisdictions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The principal roles identified by GPs in chronic hepatitis B management were diagnosis, monitoring and mediating between patient and specialist. General practitioners saw themselves as essential in managing chronic hepatitis B with their frequent interaction with patients, physical access and established trusting therapeutic relationships. They supported an active role in the delivery of chronic hepatitis B pharmaceutical treatment through shared care arrangements.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An optimal public health response to chronic hepatitis B requires a clear definition of the role of the GP. Most GPs believed their role could be more substantive and include management and treatment beyond that of diagnosis and monitoring.
authors.affiliation: La Trobe University, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, Melbourne, Victoria. j.wallace@latrobe.edu.au
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Behzad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hajarizadeh
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Richmond
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McNally
authors.forename: Marian
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pitts
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010819:Physician's Role; D012017:Referral and Consultation