Aims: To assess the functioning of hepatitis networks.
Methodology: A questionnaire was sent to all reference centers, to ten general hospitals and to twelve private hospitals working in hepatology. The main items included: participation and composition of networks, difficulties and positive or negative experiences, equal access to diagnostic and therapeutic means within the networks. Answers could be accompanied by personal remarks.
Results: The response rate was satisfactory: 75%, 70% and 100% respectively for the three groups. More than 80% of the questions were answered. Nearly all of the centers participate in a network. Two thirds of the reference centers have organized a therapeutic committee that includes private units and general hospitals. All groups actively participate in the networks. The positive experiences that were most often described were the success of training sessions especially in relation to equal access, and becoming acquainted with other participants. Most networks did not seem to be interested in screening. For reference centers the number of participating practitioners was too low. The main difficulty was felt to be overcentralization of the public hospital. Most networks are independent and meetings take place in the evening. Most responses were in favor of parity and equal access to diagnosis and therapeutic means within the networks. This only occurred in one third of the networks and if these measures were implemented it would increase network participation and effectiveness. Two thirds of the responses were also favourable to extending therapeutic trials to networks.
Conclusion: Public and private hepatologists have similar opinions about hepatitis networks. Pooling of activities, responsibilities and means should be implemented and could improve participation in the networks.