Provision of on-site medical care to patients with hepatitis C in drug treatment units.
Document Type
Article, Non peer-reviewed
Publication Date
11-8-2004
Abstract
Substance abusers are at high risk for hepatitis C (HCV) infection and also constitute a group that is medically underserved and hard to reach. We conducted a nationwide survey with 445 randomly selected drug treatment units in the United States to determine unit and patient characteristics associated with the provision of on-site medical services for HCV-infected drug users. Eighty-four percent of the 322 units that estimated having at least one HCV-infected patient reported that they provided patients with HCV-related medical care. Drug treatment units were more likely to provide at least some of this care on site if they were residential, part of a network, or affiliated with a hospital; had medical staff; and required that their patients undergo a medical examination before entering treatment. Some organizational factors appear to influence the provision of on-site medical services to HCV-positive patients in drug treatment units. Further research on the role of such factors could inform the development of effective models of care for patients with hepatitis C in drug treatment organizations.
Recommended Citation
Vassilev, Zdravko P.; Strauss, Shiela M.; Astone, Janetta M.; Friedmann, Peter D.; and Des Jarlais, Don C., "Provision of on-site medical care to patients with hepatitis C in drug treatment units." (2004). All Scholarly Works. 8460.
https://scholarlycommons.libraryinfo.bhs.org/all_works/8460
PMID
15531822