‘Lifting the invisibility cloak’ on the pivotal role of nurses in hepatitis C (HCV) testing, diagnosis and management – findings from an integrated primary healthcare service for marginalised people in inner Sydney, Australia | AJAN - The Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing Home Archives Vol. 39 No. 4 (2022): September - November 2022 Case Studies Main Article Content

Rosie Gilliver
Edmund Silins
Phillip Read

Keywords

Capacity building, Hepatitis C, nurses, public health

Abstract

Objective: We sought to quantify the number of episodes of care made by doctors and nurses to six hepatitis C care milestones at an integrated primary healthcare service for marginalised people in inner Sydney, Australia. Background: While nurses are at the coalface of hepatitis C care, they are not adequately represented in workforce data and therefore are less visible. Methods: We conducted a retrospective audit of clinical database records between 2016 (when direct acting antiviral therapy was introduced in Australia) and 2019 for six hepatitis C care milestones. Results: Results revealed nurses’ essential and increasingly substantial contribution to a broad range of hepatitis C care milestones (hepatitis C polymerase chain reaction testing, hepatitis C antibody testing, hepatitis C treatment assessment, Fibroscan, and sustained virologic response confirmation). Conclusion: Findings demonstrate the utility of nurses in accessing marginalised populations and shine a light on the growing value and substantial contribution of nurses to clinical care in the management and treatment of hepatitis C. Implications for research, policy, and practice: The findings presented here highlight the increasing role and broader scope of practice that nurses play in hepatitis C care. Nursing leadership and governance is critical to improving the visibility of nurses through comprehensive workforce data collection to strengthen the nursing workforce and justify role expansion.

What is already known about the topic?

Nurses have an essential role in the testing, diagnosis and management of people with hepatitis C (HCV).
Although nurses hold this essential role, the extent of their work is not adequately understood given the poor representation of nurses in workforce data.
There is a need for evidence that highlights the role of the nurse in HCV care, to support decision making and justify role expansion.

What this paper adds

These findings shine a light on the growing value and substantial contribution of nurses to clinical care in the management and treatment of HCV.
The findings also demonstrate the utility of nurses in supporting the healthcare of marginalised populations.
Evidence of the increased role that nurses play in HCV care provides support for ongoing workforce development and extension of the role of the nurse in HCV testing, diagnosis, treatment and management.
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How to Cite

1.

Gilliver R, Silins E, Read P. ‘Lifting the invisibility cloak’ on the pivotal role of nurses in hepatitis C (HCV) testing, diagnosis and management – findings from an integrated primary healthcare service for marginalised people in inner Sydney, Australia. Aust J Adv Nurs [Internet]. 2022 Nov. 29 [cited 2022 Nov. 30];39(4). Available from: https://www.ajan.com.au/index.php/AJAN/article/view/785

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