'Think Hep B' in primary care: A before-and-after evaluation of a self-guided learning package

Yinzong Xiao; Caroline van Gemert; Jess Howell; Emily Adamson; Vanessa Towell; Benjamin C Cowie; Alex J Thompson; Margaret Hellard

doi:10.31128/AJGP-10-18-4739

'Think Hep B' in primary care: A before-and-after evaluation of a self-guided learning package

Aust J Gen Pract. 2020 Jan-Feb;49(1-2):66-69. doi: 10.31128/AJGP-10-18-4739.

Authors

Yinzong Xiao¹, Caroline van Gemert², Jess Howell³, Emily Adamson⁴, Vanessa Towell⁵, Benjamin C Cowie⁶, Alex J Thompson⁷, Margaret Hellard⁸

Affiliations

¹ MBBS, MMed, PhD candidate, Burnet Institute, Vic; PhD candidate, Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Vic; PhD candidate, Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent@s Hospital, Vic.
² MPH, MAppEpid, PhD, NHMRC, Early Career Research Fellow, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Vic; Senior Research Officer, Burnet Institute, Vic.
³ MBBS (Hons), MSc (Epi), PGradDip (PH), PhD, FRACP, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Burnet Institute, Vic; Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Vic; Gastroenterologist, Department of Medicine, St Vincent@s Hospital, University of Melbourne, Vic.
⁴ BSocSci, PGDip (Health Psychology), Health Promotion Program Manager, Burnet Institute, Vic.
⁵ MPH, Director of programs, National Policy and Education Division, Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine, Qld.
⁶ MBBS, PhD, FRACP, Director, WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis, Doherty Institute, Vic; Physician and Epidemiologist, Victorian Infectious Diseases Service, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Vic; Professor, University of Melbourne, Vic.
⁷ MBBS (Hons), PhD, FRACP, Professor and Director of Gastroenterology, St Vincent@s Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Vic.
⁸ MBBS, FRACP, PhD, FAFPHM, Professor and Deputy Director, Burnet Institute, Vic; Head, Hepatitis Services, Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred Hospital, Vic; Adjunct Professor, Monash University, Vic; Adjunct Professor, University of Melbourne, Vic.

PMID: 32008273
DOI: 10.31128/AJGP-10-18-4739

Abstract

Background and objectives: In Australia, over a third of individuals living with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remain undiagnosed. Evidence suggests general practitioners (GPs) can be uncertain regarding whom to test. The aim of this study was to evaluate an educational resource for improving GPs' knowledge about whom to test for CHB.

Method: Following a 2014 baseline survey that identified gaps in CHB knowledge among GPs in Victoria, an educational resource package was developed. Using a follow-up survey, the resource was evaluated by comparing the before-and-after CHB-related knowledge.

Results: Sixty-five GPs responded to both the baseline and follow-up survey. Their knowledge of populations at high risk of CHB who require testing was significantly greater following the intervention than at baseline.

Discussion: Concise, clear and practical resources can support GPs when identifying whom to test for hepatitis B.

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Clinical Competence / standards
Clinical Competence / statistics & numerical data
Education, Medical, Continuing / standards*
Education, Medical, Continuing / statistics & numerical data
Female
General Practitioners / standards*
General Practitioners / statistics & numerical data
Hepatitis B / psychology*
Hepatitis B / therapy
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Primary Health Care / methods
Primary Health Care / trends
Qualitative Research
Surveys and Questionnaires
Transfer, Psychology*
Victoria