HIV/HCV Provider Education

Functionality & Mechanism

This clinical reference tool delivers evidence-based educational content for healthcare providers managing patients with HIV/HCV coinfection. The system integrates diagnostic and screening guidelines, treatment decision trees, and drug access protocols into a streamlined interface. Its structure is designed to facilitate point-of-care access to critical information, guiding clinicians through the HCV cascade of care, from initial evaluation to treatment initiation and management of potential drug interactions, leveraging content such as pocket cards and flow charts.

Evidence & Research Context

An evaluation of an educational program incorporating materials analogous to the app's content was conducted with HIV providers at a single urban clinic.

• In the evaluation (N=28 providers), the training program increased provider comfort in discussing HIV/HCV drug interactions from 48% to 80%.
• Following the intervention, confidence in discussing liver disease progression increased, with the proportion of providers feeling "confident" rising from 38% to 50%.
• The program was associated with increased clinical action, with 89% of participating providers conducting new HCV evaluation visits and 71% prescribing HCV treatment post-intervention.

Intended Use & Scope

This tool is designed for clinicians, including primary care providers and HIV specialists, as a point-of-care reference for managing HIV/HCV coinfection. Its primary utility is to reinforce clinical knowledge and support treatment decisions based on established guidelines. The system does not replace expert consultation for complex cases or serve as a standalone diagnostic tool, and clinical judgment remains paramount.