Chronic Hepatitis C Assessment and Treatment: Algorithms for Primary Care Providers

In the past, chronic hepatitis C (CHC) was a challenge to manage as treatment protocols were complicated and medications had severe side effects. Primary care providers are often the first medical professionals who screen for CHC, but patients are frequently referred to specialists after hepatitis C is diagnosed. Moreover, health care providers in safety-net clinics should be screening their patients as low-income individuals are disproportionately affected by CHC. The new generation of CHC medications makes treatment options more feasible and cost-effective. Assessment and treatment protocols for CHC have been developed to serve the needs of primary care providers in private practice as well as safety-net clinics.