Evaluation of health care needs and patient satisfaction among hepatitis C patients treated at a hospital-based, viral hepatitis clinic.

OBJECTIVE To define self-reported hepatitis C knowledge, health care needs, and patient satisfaction in a representative cohort of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected adults treated at a university hospital-based viral hepatitis clinic in Canada. METHODS A questionnaire package evaluating HCV knowledge, health care needs, and patient satisfaction was administered to 111 consecutive consenting HCV patients during their first and 10-month follow-up HCV clinic visits. RESULTS At their first HCV clinic visit, 52% of patients rated their current HCV knowledge as "fair" or "poor". Patients identified HCV education, quality medical care, medication coverage, and psychological counselling as important HCV health care needs. Health care satisfaction outcome data at 10-month follow-up indicated that patients felt significantly better informed, more satisfied, and more actively involved in their HCV health care. CONCLUSION A bio-psychosocial framework in which medical, psychological, educational, and social issues are addressed is desirable for optimal HCV health care.