Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment and Its Challenges: A Survey of Internal Medicine Residents in a Community Hospital

BACKGROUND: Despite recent advances in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treatment, only a small proportion of patients are connected with care and receive treatment. Internal medicine (IM) residents spend nearly one-third of their training in primary care settings and play a crucial role in diagnosing and counseling patients as well as linking patients with care and following up. METHODS: IM residents in a community hospital completed an anonymous questionnaire regarding their knowledge, attitude, and practice associated with CHC treatment and its challenges. RESULTS: Descriptive analysis of the survey showed that there is a substantial gap in knowledge regarding the newer treatment of CHC between IM residents’ perceptions of patient awareness and IM residents. CONCLUSION: Updated education regarding CHC that is geared towards medical residents and focused on new modalities of treatment can narrow the gap and lead to considerable increases in the rates of diagnosis and treatment and decreases in morbidity and mortality.