‘I’m over the moon!’: patient-perceived outcomes of hepatitis C treatment
Davoud Pourmarzi A B E , Andrew Smirnov B , Lisa Hall C , Gerard FitzGerald A and Tony Rahman D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld 4059, Australia.
B National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Research School of Population Health, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
C School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4006, Australia.
D Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Prince Charles Hospital, Brisbane, Qld 4032, Australia.
E Corresponding author. Email: davoud.pourmarzi@anu.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 26(4) 319-324 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY20013
Submitted: 22 January 2020 Accepted: 29 April 2020 Published: 25 June 2020
Abstract
Understanding patient-perceived outcomes is crucial for assessing the effectiveness and acceptability of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. This study aimed to explore patient-perceived outcomes of receiving direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). This study was a part of a mixed-methods case study of the Prince Charles Hospital program for improving access to HCV treatment in community settings. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with nine patients who were in different stages of their treatment for HCV. The participants were recruited using purposive sampling. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Patients emphasised ‘having more energy’ when reporting improvements in their physical health following treatment. They also reported a newly developed sense of freedom and hope. Improved physical and mental health empowered them to start a healthy lifestyle and to practise self-protection from the risk of re-infection. Patients highlighted their desire to help other patients to receive treatment, which was connected to their experience of the services that they received and their perceived health outcomes. Patients expect and experience various outcomes that are related to the physical, psychological and social aspects of living with, and being cured of HCV. Emphasis on the short-term outcomes of receiving HCV treatment may improve HCV treatment uptake and adherence rates.
Additional keywords: DAAs, patient outcome assessment, primary health care, quality of life.
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