THE CIRCLE
We at HCMSG address the basic needs of all people affected by Hepatitis C and those co infected with HIV, including the current and former injection drug user population. We encourage each person to be tested for Hepatitis C in response to what is clearly a connection between the use of injection drugs and Hepatitis C. The participants who test positive are then navigated through the system with the goal of receiving treatment for Hepatitis C and to endeavor to reduce the harm using The Hepatitis C Education and Support Group Assistance Program. The clients are identified through weekly syringe exchange programs in a non-hostile environment where they are provided with hygiene safety kits to reduce the harm of infection and to encourage a healthy lifestyle. There is no judgment of lifestyle in the syringe exchange program and participants are treated with respect encouraging them to make healthy choices. There is a generation of young people who have become infected with Hepatitis C through injecting opiates and sharing syringes. Education in regard to transmission is necessary for this population in a non-judgmental environment. Using HCMSG's mission and goals, we provide insight and direction into providing and developing effective Educational Support Groups before and after treatment for this particular patient population.
http://www.hepatitisCmsg.org/the-hepatitis-c-education-and-support-group-assistance-program.html
Using HCMSG’s Health Care Providers Training we encourage primary care physician’s to provide information about Hepatitis C to all of their patients and make sure they ask them if they have been tested. This training is designed to help the provider better understand how to work with all patients infected with or at risk for Hepatitis C, including high-risk populations such as those who currently use or formerly used drugs, members of the LGBTQ community, youth and young adults, women of child bearing age, and those co-infected with HIV. While other Hepatitis C trainings exist, the perspective they provide is from that of the clinician, leaving the patient feeling disconnected and misunderstood. HCMSG comes directly from the experiences of a patient who was cured of Hepatitis C and a mother who lost her son to overdose.
The training provides:
For healthcare providers wanting to start an educational support group, we use the training model from The Hepatitis C Education and Support Group Assistance Program.
http://www.hepatitiscmsg.org/patient-assistance-programs.html
http://www.hepatitisCmsg.org/the-hepatitis-c-education-and-support-group-assistance-program.html
Using HCMSG’s Health Care Providers Training we encourage primary care physician’s to provide information about Hepatitis C to all of their patients and make sure they ask them if they have been tested. This training is designed to help the provider better understand how to work with all patients infected with or at risk for Hepatitis C, including high-risk populations such as those who currently use or formerly used drugs, members of the LGBTQ community, youth and young adults, women of child bearing age, and those co-infected with HIV. While other Hepatitis C trainings exist, the perspective they provide is from that of the clinician, leaving the patient feeling disconnected and misunderstood. HCMSG comes directly from the experiences of a patient who was cured of Hepatitis C and a mother who lost her son to overdose.
The training provides:
- Learning about Hepatitis C and co-infection with HIV, and how the diseases affect your patients and your practice.
- Recognizing the impact social determinants of health have on different communities.
- Helping patients manage their health, as well as their emotional and non-medical issues.
- Identifying stigma and negative stereotypes used in your practice, understanding the negative impact they have on the clinical outcomes of your patients, and learning how to eliminate them.
- Understanding why and how patients who do not abstain from drug or alcohol use can and should be treated for Hepatitis C.
- Explaining ways for helping patients understand the transmission risks of injection drug use and learn effective harm reduction strategies.
- Identifying best practices for effectively working with high risk populations.
- Empowering patients to be in charge of their own health, resulting in better health outcomes.
For healthcare providers wanting to start an educational support group, we use the training model from The Hepatitis C Education and Support Group Assistance Program.
http://www.hepatitiscmsg.org/patient-assistance-programs.html