Date of Award

2022

Document Type

Project

College/School

College of Nursing

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Project Mentor

Colleen Woolsey

Readers

Donald Baumer

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to: 1) assess staff members’ knowledge regarding transmission, disease processes, and treatment outcomes for HCV; 2) identify staff perceived barriers to care for patients; 3) evaluate staff perception of how barriers are being addressed at an organizational level at an integrated outpatient substance use disorder (SUD) clinic. Responses to open-ended questions were analyzed for themes and re-presented in sequential surveys according to Delphi methodology to achieve consensus among respondents. Knowledge gaps for staff were identified regarding the high cure rates offered by medications as well as the increased risk of liver cancer as a disease outcome. Active addiction and day-to-day stability were identified as the top barriers by staff. More follow up is needed to further evaluate how to mitigate these barriers at the organizational level. Recommendations include ensuring staff knowledge of HCV disease processes as well as treatment outcomes such as the benefits offered by newer medications eg. cure rates of above 95% with few side effects.

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