Enhancing Drug Treatment Program Staff's Self-Efficacy to Support Patients' HCV Needs

Abstract

To increase HCV-related support for patients in substance abuse treatment programs, we implemented an on-site staff training in 16 programs throughout the United States. It aimed to increase participants’ self-efficacy in assisting patients with their HCV-related needs. Findings indicate that participants’ self-efficacy increased both 1- and 3-months post-training, resulting in providers’ perceptions that they were better able to support patients regarding HCV. Implementing an engaging and interactive HCV training for social workers and other substance abuse treatment program staff has the potential to increase their HCV knowledge, self-efficacy, and the HCV-related assistance provided to patients both in the short- and longer-term.

Hepatitis C treatment access and uptake for people who inject drugs: a review mapping the role of social factors

“…Targeted adherence supports include: electronic reminder systems [71]; co-ordination with pharmacies for medication dispensing [124]; directly observed therapy [59]; respectful client-centred continuity of care [40,61,71]; nurse provided interferon injections [40]; improved phlebotomy services [45,61,124], including provision to use external jugular venepuncture [125]; and flexible OST provision, including access to take home doses [126]. Targeted treatment literacy supports include: education for PWID [127], as well as training and support for drug and alcohol staff [128] and primary care providers, including the use of video conferencing [129]. While less frequently documented or evaluated, evidenced targeted social supports include: peer support groups [128,130]; peer-workers integrated into HCV treatment provision [131]; improved psychological services [124]; and assistance with practical problems, such as transportation, accommodation and welfare benefit access [61,72,128].…”

“…Targeted treatment literacy supports include: education for PWID [127], as well as training and support for drug and alcohol staff [128] and primary care providers, including the use of video conferencing [129]. While less frequently documented or evaluated, evidenced targeted social supports include: peer support groups [128,130]; peer-workers integrated into HCV treatment provision [131]; improved psychological services [124]; and assistance with practical problems, such as transportation, accommodation and welfare benefit access [61,72,128]. The combination of social and structural supports facilitating HCV treatment access and engagement cautions against an overly narrow biomedical interpretation of combination intervention.…”