Investigating General Practice and Hepatitis B

There is an increasing burden on the community resulting from chronic hepatitis B infection. General Practitioners (GPs) are essential in reducing this burden given strong evidence showing that the early detection, follow-up and treatment of chronic hepatitis B can slow the progression to liver failure and reduce the chance of being diagnosed with liver cancer. The Australian National Hepatitis B Strategy 2010-2013 describes ‘general practice as part of a healthcare team... central to the healthcare experience of people living with chronic hepatitis B.’ Given indications of a less than optimal response to chronic hepatitis B by GPs in Australia, this study conducted qualitative interviews with 26 GPs to identify their understanding of their role, and perspectives on the barriers and challenges to the effective diagnosis and management of chronic hepatitis B in general practice. Authors: Jack Wallace, Behzad Hajarizadeh, Jacqui Richmond and Stephen McNally from the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society - La Trobe University. (APO 28/5/12)