Clinical posts from members and guests of the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) from various international medical and scientific conferences on HIV, AIDS, viral hepatitis, and sexual health.
Nikki Woolley is the Viral Hepatitis Program Manager at ASHM. With a background in health promotion and education management, Nikki now oversees ASHM’s hepatitis C and hepatitis B workforce and policy development and the Testing Portal – the home of the Australian HIV, HCV and HBV Testing Policies. Nikki is part of this Conference’s Organising Committee and is also on the LORA Project Steering Committee (Janssen)
The Australian Hepatology Association has launched their consensus based guidelines for hepatology nurses.
What an achievement to gain consensus!
This will be a fantastic tool for nurses working in the field now and those starting out in hepatology.
The guidelines will be available for download next week at www.hepatologyassociation.com.au
Anyone know what's stopping us from having a national hepatitis B related HCC surveillance program across Australia?
New Zealand has had a program since 2003. Surveillance increases survival for people living with chronic hepatitis B, but is the first step a national screening program?
"I have problems trusting people because I've been screwed over so many times".
Professor Paul Ward from Flinders University reminded us today of the centrality of trust to people with viral hepatitis accessing health services and adherence to treatment.
There are two levels of trust: personal and systems-based, so trust is not just about the behaviour of the health worker. The health service itself has to place the patient at the centre of its model of care, so that the individual can find a "safe passage" through.
To me, it comes down to acting with integrity and consistency. Do what you say you're going to do.
Professor Ed Gane says that there is no need for liver biopsy for assessing staging of hepatitis C in New Zealand.
The cost of the flight within New Zealand to a liver clinic with a fibroscan is justified, he believes.
Patients don't want a biopsy, and fibroscan has shown itself to be an effective tool for assessing fibrosis.