STOPHCC-HCV

Name: STOPHCC-HCV
Author: University of Texas Health San Antonio

University of Texas Health San Antonio

DOCUMENTED

Published in academic literature

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App Summary

STOPHCC-HCV is an educational app for patients and communities that provides essential information on the causes, transmission, and treatment of hepatitis C. The app is part of a larger public health program that, according to the associated research, utilizes an innovative, privacy-preserving platform to manage patient data and overcome reporting barriers at health centers. By delivering accessible education, the app supports the program's broader goal of improving the screening and prevention of hepatitis C and related liver cancer.

App Screenshots

Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism Developed by the STOP HCC-HCV Program, this tool delivers structured educational content regarding hepatitis C. The system guides individuals through modules covering etiology, transmission, diagnosis, and treatment. The interface integrates "teach-back" questions to reinforce key concepts and assess comprehension. Designed for rapid deployment in clinical or community settings, the application's content is accessible offline after initial installation, facilitating use in diverse environments with limited connectivity.

Evidence & Research Context

The application is an educational component of the STOP-HCV-HCC program, a public health initiative supported by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).
The broader program is designed to screen and treat hepatitis C, vaccinate for hepatitis B, and prevent hepatocellular carcinoma within underserved communities.
Associated research details the program's implementation of a privacy-preserving data analytics platform across federally qualified health centers in South Texas.
The app's pedagogical design incorporates a "teach-back" method to verify user comprehension of critical health information.

Intended Use & Scope This application is intended for clinicians and public health professionals to facilitate patient and community education on hepatitis C. Its primary utility is delivering foundational knowledge and reinforcing comprehension through a structured interface. The tool is not a substitute for clinical diagnosis or treatment guidance. All medical decisions require consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.

Studies & Publications

2 publications

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Development/Design Paper

STOP-HCV-HCC Program: Privacy-Preserving Innovation for Remote Data Access and Analytics at Federally Qualified Health Centers in South Texas

Craven et al. (2024) · Studies in Health Technology and Informatics

Describes the research-driven development of this app

STOP-HCV-HCC program to screen and treat hepatitis C, vaccinate for hepatitis B, and prevent hepatocellular carcinoma is implementing a cloud-based privacy-preserving platform to overcome electronic health record barriers to reporting, without data transfer, at four federally qualified health centers in South Texas, USA.

Effectiveness/Outcome Study

Educating Primary Care Providers and Associate Care Providers About Hepatitis C Screening of Baby Boomers: a Multi-practice Study

Flores et al. (2020) · Journal of Cancer Education

Both physicians and care team members improved their knowledge about hepatitis C screening after training.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) increases the risk for hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite higher prevalence of HCV in persons born 1945–1965 (baby boomer), screening has not been widely adopted. Both primary care providers (PCPs) and associate care providers (ACPs) need to be educated about the rationale and methods to screen for HCV. In five Federally Qualified Health Centers serving low-income Hispanic communities, PCPs and ACPs attended a 50-min training lecture about HCV epidemiology, screening methods, and evaluation. Using a 12-item questionnaire, knowledge and attitudes were compared for PCPs and ACPs at baseline (pre-test) and following training (post-test). A higher proportion of PCPs correctly answered 3 of 6 knowledge questions on both pre-test and post-test but ACPs' showed more improvement in knowledge (all P < 0.05). ACPs had more favorable attitudes about linking patients to care on pre- and post-tests than PCPs, and ACPs' attitudes improved on all 6 items versus 4 for PCPs. Both PCPs and ACPs improved knowledge and attitudes after training about HCV screening but ACPs had more favorable attitudes than PCPs. Engaging the entire primary care practice team in learning about HCV screening promotes knowledge and attitudes necessary for successful implementation.

In the Media

Research shows new education program may increase hepatitis C screenings

UT Health San Antonio and UT Southwestern researchers developed a shortened 50-minute training program to increase hepatitis C screenings among healthcare providers serving underserved populations, particularly Hispanic communities in South Texas. Dr. Bertha "Penny" Flores noted that "Hispanic populations are in dire need of HCV screening to avert complications of advanced disease such as liver cancer and end-stage liver disease, both of which can be deadly." The program trained 287 participants across five Federally Qualified Health Centers from February 2016 through August 2019.

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Liver cancer prevention project boosts hepatitis C screening and care in safety-net practices

Researchers from the Long School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio developed STOPHCC-HCV to arrest the rise in Texas liver cancer by building primary care capacity to screen for hepatitis C virus infection, using teleconsultation and multi-component strategies in safety-net practices. The program increased baby boomer screening rates for HCV infection from less than 1% to 48%, with 13,334 of 27,700 baby boomers screened across six practices serving low-income Hispanic communities. Results were published in December in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

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