Australasian Society for HIV Medicine

This is a course in hepatitis C for health professionals who work in Opiate Dependency Pharmacotherapy Settings. It acknowledges these professionals have a unique role in accessing and providing care to drug treatment clients, approximately half of whom have chronic hepatitis C.  This course aims to enhance participants’ understanding of the epidemiology and burden of disease associated with hepatitis C virus infection, the clinical picture of chronic infection, use of tests for diagnostic and monitoring purposes, identifying and prioritising those patients in need of treatment, the treatment options including alternative therapies, procedures for referral, and  management of patients on antiviral therapy.

The course will specifically assist health professionals in facilitating their patients’ access to hepatitis C treatment and will provide information to support them looking after those patients who are already undergoing treatment. Information is also given on nutrition and other considerations to improve and maintain the quality of life of people with hepatitis C who are on opiate replacement pharmacotherapy.

ASHM has run 4 such courses previously in Sydney and rural NSW as part of the Enhancing Treatment For Hepatitis C in Opioid Substitution Settings (E.T.H.O.S.) project. 62 health professionals from Opiate Dependency Pharmacotherapy Services attended these courses and they evaluated extremely well. The Perth course will be the first time this targeted training will be offered outside NSW but at least 2 other states are likely to conduct their own courses under the project in the near future.  

More Information 

To register for this course and all ASHM courses, please go to www.ashm.org.au/courses/