Re-link HCV in Substance-Use Telemedicine Program

The study, led by trueNorth medical center in Ontario, focuses on re-linking people diagnosed with untreated Hepatitis C (HCV) to care through a community-based substance-use telemedicine program. HCV is a significant health concern in Canada, especially among people who inject drugs (PWID), who face barriers to accessing treatment. Integrating HCV treatment with substance use care may improve treatment uptake. This observational study includes both retrospective and prospective cohorts. The retrospective aspect involves chart reviews to identify untreated HCV patients for re-linking, while the prospective cohort examines treatment outcomes such as linkage to care and cure rates. Participants include individuals over 18 with a positive HCV RNA result who have not completed a course of Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA) treatment. Excluded are those unable to consent or with restricted access to their health records. Study procedures involve identifying untreated HCV patients, attempting re-linkage via telecommunication, and offering treatment through the program. Outcome measures include the number of patients re-linked to care and their treatment outcomes. Data analysis will utilize IBM SPSS for logistic regression and descriptive statistics, aiming to evaluate the efficacy of this telemedicine approach in improving HCV care among PWID. Ethical considerations include informed consent and data privacy, with oversight by the ADVARRA Canadian Institutional Review Board. The study seeks to address HCV care gaps in PWID populations by leveraging telemedicine for improved access and treatment outcomes.