Abstract
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.
Conclusion: A bio-psychosocial framework in which medical, psychological, educational, and social issues are addressed is desirable for optimal HCV health care.
Résumé
Objectif: Définir les connaissances de l’hépatite C, les besoins de soins de santé et le niveau de satisfaction déclarés par les patients au sein d’une cohorte représentative d’adultes infectés par le virus de l’hépatite C (VHC) recevant des soins dans une clinique de traitement de l’hépatite virale d’un hôpital universitaire du Canada.
Méthode: Un ensemble de questionnaires visant à évaluer les connaissances du VHC, les besoins de soins de santé et le niveau de satisfaction des patients a été administré séquentiellement à 111 patients consentants infectés par le virus durant leurs visites de suivi après un mois et après 10 mois à la clinique de traitement.
Résultats: Lors de leur première visite à la clinique de traitement de l’hépatite virale, 52 % des patients ont qualifié de „ moyennes ” ou „ faibles ” leurs connaissances actuelles du VHC. Selon ces patients, leurs principaux besoins à l’égard du VHC étaient d’obtenir une éducation au VHC, des soins médicaux de qualité, une assurance médicaments et une aide psychologique de soutien. Selon les résultats du suivi après 10 mois qui concernaient la satisfaction à l’égard des soins de santé, les patients se sentaient beaucoup mieux informés, étaient plus satisfaits et disaient jouer un rôle plus actif dans leur traitement.
Conclusion: Pour un traitement optimal du VHC, il est souhaitable d’avoir un cadre biopsychosocial qui tienne compte des aspects médicaux, psychologiques, éducatifs et sociaux de la maladie.
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