Community Involvement in new WHO Hepatitis B Guidelines
Community Involvement in new WHO Hepatitis B Guidelines
“We are moving the dial on HBV treatment, yet not at full speed!” - Dr. Robert Gish
Key Findings on HBV Patient Preferences/Values
- Chronic HBV has significant physical, social, emotional and professional impact
- Many people with HBV are not getting standard, recommended care due to affordability and accessibility
- Patients report not being on tx due to provider recommendation or accessibility
- Inadequate supportive model of care in formal healthcare system
- Gap filled by traditional herbal medicine practitioners using persuasive marketing
- In majority of contexts, limited access to laboratory tests, particularly viral load, LFT, and fibroscan, as well as complex treatment guidelines impede complete clinical staging
- Respondents report feeling that health care providers are not actively involving them in decision making regarding treatment and management
- However, patients wanted to be involved in decision making particularly around treatment