Journal article
Knowledge and practices of chronic hepatitis B virus testing by general practitioners in Victoria, Australia, 2014-15
C van Gemert, J Howell, J Wang, M Stoove, B Cowie, N Allard, C Enright, E Dunn, V Towell, M Hellard
Australian Family Physician | ROYAL AUSTRALIAN COLLEGE GENERAL PRACTITIONERS | Published : 2017
Abstract
Background and objective More than one-third of people living with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Australia have not been diagnosed. The aim of this study was to assess general practitioners' (GPs') knowledge and practices regarding chronic HBV diagnosis, and identify opportunities to improve testing rates. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with GPs working in Victoria, Australia. Statistically significant adjusted odds ratios for high knowledge, and ordering two or more HBV tests per week were calculated. Results Of 1000 GPs who were invited to participate, 232 completed the survey. Chronic HBV knowledge, use of interpreters, and awareness of HBV testing guidelines were low..
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Funding Acknowledgements
We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of the GPs who participated in this study and provided input in the early stages of survey design. Thank you also to Angus McCormack and Emma Weaver at the Burnet Institute, who provided data entry support. Caroline van Gemert receives support through an Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship. Margaret Hellard is supported by an NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship. The Burnet Institute gratefully acknowledge the contribution to this work of the Victorian Operational Infrastructure Support Program.