Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of Health Care Needs and Patient Satisfaction among Hepatitis C Patients Treated at a Hospital-based, Viral Hepatitis Clinic

  • Published:
Canadian Journal of Public Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective: To define self-reported hepatitis C knowledge, health care needs, and patient satisfaction in a representative cohort of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected adults treated at a university hospital-based viral hepatitis clinic in Canada.

Methods: A questionnaire package evaluating HCV knowledge, health care needs, and patient satisfaction was administered to 111 consecutive consenting HCV patients during their first and 10-month follow-up HCV clinic visits.

Results: At their first HCV clinic visit, 52% of patients rated their current HCV knowledge as “fair” or “poor”. Patients identified HCV education, quality medical care, medication coverage, and psychological counselling as important HCV health care needs. Health care satisfaction outcome data at 10-month follow-up indicated that patients felt significantly better informed, more satisfied, and more actively involved in their HCV health care.

Conclusion: A bio-psychosocial framework in which medical, psychological, educational, and social issues are addressed is desirable for optimal HCV health care.

Résumé

Objectif: Définir les connaissances de l’hépatite C, les besoins de soins de santé et le niveau de satisfaction déclarés par les patients au sein d’une cohorte représentative d’adultes infectés par le virus de l’hépatite C (VHC) recevant des soins dans une clinique de traitement de l’hépatite virale d’un hôpital universitaire du Canada.

Méthode: Un ensemble de questionnaires visant à évaluer les connaissances du VHC, les besoins de soins de santé et le niveau de satisfaction des patients a été administré séquentiellement à 111 patients consentants infectés par le virus durant leurs visites de suivi après un mois et après 10 mois à la clinique de traitement.

Résultats: Lors de leur première visite à la clinique de traitement de l’hépatite virale, 52 % des patients ont qualifié de „ moyennes ” ou „ faibles ” leurs connaissances actuelles du VHC. Selon ces patients, leurs principaux besoins à l’égard du VHC étaient d’obtenir une éducation au VHC, des soins médicaux de qualité, une assurance médicaments et une aide psychologique de soutien. Selon les résultats du suivi après 10 mois qui concernaient la satisfaction à l’égard des soins de santé, les patients se sentaient beaucoup mieux informés, étaient plus satisfaits et disaient jouer un rôle plus actif dans leur traitement.

Conclusion: Pour un traitement optimal du VHC, il est souhaitable d’avoir un cadre biopsychosocial qui tienne compte des aspects médicaux, psychologiques, éducatifs et sociaux de la maladie.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Zou S, Tepper M, Giulivi A. Current status of hepatitis C in Canada. Can J Public Health 2000;91(Suppl. 1):S10–S15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Remis R, Hogg R, Krahn MD, Preiksaitis JK, Sherman M. Estimating the number of blood tranfusion recipients infected by hepatitis C virus in Canada, 1960–85 and 1990–92. Report to Health Canada, June 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Smyth BP, McMahon J, O’Connor JJ, Ryan J. Knowledge regarding hepatitis C among injecting drug users. Drugs: Educ Prev Policy 1999;6:257–64.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Stein MD, Maksad J, Clarke J. Hepatitis C disease among injection drug users: Knowledge, perceived risk and willingness to receive treatment. Drug Alcohol Dependence 2001;61:211–15.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Van de Ven P, Kippax S, Crawford J, Rodden P. Injecting drug use and knowledge and self-report of hepatitis C among Australian gay and homo-sexually active men. Drug Alcohol Rev 1999;18:271–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Buffington J, Damon S, Moyer L, Culver D. Racial differences in knowledge regarding hepatitis C virus infection [letter]. JAMA 2000;284:1651–52.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Obhrai J, Hall Y, Anand BS. Assessment of fatigue and psychologic disturbances in patients with hepatitis C virus infection. J Clin Gastroenterol 2001;32:413–17.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Fraley SS, Altmaier EM. Correlates of patient satisfaction among menopausal women. J Clin Psych Med Settings 2002;9:235–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. DiMatteo MR, Sherbourne CD, Hays RD, Ordway L, Kravitz RL, McGlynn EA, et al. Physicians’ characteristics influence patients’ adherence to medical treatment: Results from the medical outcomes study. Health Psychol 1993;12:93–102.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Sherbourne CD, Hays RD, Ordway L, DiMatteo MR, Kravitz R. Antecedents of adherence to medical recommendations: Results from the Medical Outcomes Study. J Behav Med 1992;15:447–68.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Marshall GN, Hays RD, Sherbourne CD, Wells KB. The structure of patient satisfaction with outpatient medical care. Psychol Assess 1993;5:477–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Ong LML, De Haes JCJM, Hoos AM, Lammes FB. Physician-patient communication: A review of the literature. Soc Sci Med 1995;40:903–18.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Putnam DE, Finney JW, Barkley PL, Bonner MJ. Enhancing commitment improves adherence to a medical regimen. J Consult Clin Psychol 1994;62:191–94.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Unger T. Patient-physician interactions in hypertension. J Human Hypertension 1995;9:41–45.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Balfour L, Hamel M, Kowal J, Kane M, Garber G, Cooper C. Hepatitis C: Patient needs assessment, quality of life, and depression. Poster presented at the annual conference of the Canadian Psychological Association, Vancouver, BC, June, 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  16. Larsen DL, Attkisson CC, Hargreaves WA, Nguyen TD. Assessment of client/patient satisfaction: Development of a general scale. Eval Prg Planning 1979;2:197–207.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Sabourin S, Laferriere N, Sicuro F, Coallier JC, Cournoyer LG, Gendreau P. Social desirability, psychological distress, and consumer satisfaction with mental health treatment. J Counsel Psychol 1989;36:352–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Stein JA, Nyamathi A. Gender differences in behavioral and psychosocial predictors of HIV testing and return for test results in a high-risk population. AIDS Care 2000;12:343–56.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Rooney G, Gilson RJC. Sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus infection. Sex Transm Infect 1998;74:399–404.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Safran DG, Taira DA, Rogers WH, Kosinski M, Ware JE, Tarlov AR. Linking primary care performance to outcomes of care. J Fam Pract 1998;47:213–20.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Viral Hepatitis Unit, Division of Infectious Diseases, The Ottawa Hospital, Room 7300-501 Smyth Road, Ottawa Hospital-General Campus, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L6, Canada

    Louise Balfour PhD, Curtis Cooper MD, Marie Kane RN, John Kowal MA & Gary Garber MD

  2. University of Ottawa, Canada

    Louise Balfour PhD, Curtis Cooper MD, Giorgio A. Tasca PhD & Gary Garber MD

  3. Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

    Giorgio A. Tasca PhD

Authors
  1. Louise Balfour PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Curtis Cooper MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Giorgio A. Tasca PhD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Marie Kane RN
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. John Kowal MA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Gary Garber MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Louise Balfour PhD.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Balfour, L., Cooper, C., Tasca, G.A. et al. Evaluation of Health Care Needs and Patient Satisfaction among Hepatitis C Patients Treated at a Hospital-based, Viral Hepatitis Clinic. Can J Public Health 95, 272–277 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03405130

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03405130

Search

Navigation