Patients' perceptions of information and support received from the nurse specialist during HCV treatment

Abstract

Aim: To identify patients' perceptions of support received from the nurse specialist during Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment.

Background: HCV is a worldwide health problem. However, it is a treatable disease and treatment success rates are high. Unfortunately, treatment comes with a multitude of adverse side effects and patients require informational and psychological support from specialist nurses while on treatment. To date, there is little nursing research on support received from this specialist nursing care.

Design: This study used a quantitative descriptive design.

Method: A 59-item questionnaire collected data from 106 patients with a diagnosis of HCV attending a HCV outpatient clinic.

Results: Overall, patients were very satisfied with support received. Advice on contraception was well received. However, many patients did not feel supported with regard to advice on sleep management. There were no statistically significant differences between overall satisfaction and gender, age, genotype and risk factor. However, there were significant correlations found between support received and reported genotype. Those patients presenting with genotype 1, who are mostly infected through blood or blood products, indicated that they require more support in relation to information on side effects of treatment, quality of life and support groups. Specific approaches to support and advice for this cohort may need to be incorporated into current services.

Conclusion: Results of this study reinforce the need for the ongoing use of specialist nurse services and development of this service where no such facilities exist. In addition, the service may need to further recognise and support the information and psychological needs of patients with differing modes of HCV infection.

Relevance to clinical practice: Findings provide information to practising nurse specialists about patient's views of information and support received from nurse specialists in HCV treatment centres and identify where deficits exist.