Interdisciplinary Teams Dramatically Improve Hepatitis C Treatment Access
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A new study demonstrates that a team-based approach to care significantly reduces wait times and increases treatment rates for hepatitis C virus (HCV), offering a promising model for primary care clinics nationwide. The findings, published in The Annals of Family Medicine, highlight a successful quality improvement initiative at an Ohio clinic that tackled administrative hurdles hindering patient access to vital treatment.
The increasing availability of effective HCV medications with less intensive monitoring requirements has positioned primary care as a key setting for treatment. However, many physicians continue to refer patients to specialists, citing substantial administrative burdens related to laboratory workups, insurance prior authorizations, and pharmacy coordination as major obstacles.
Streamlining Care in Columbus, Ohio
In July 2022, a family medicine residency clinic in Columbus, Ohio, recognized a critical gap in care: eligible patients were not consistently receiving or completing HCV treatment. To address this, the clinic established an interdisciplinary team comprised of a physician champion, a pharmacist, and an office staff member. This team was specifically tasked with streamlining medication access and providing support throughout the treatment process.
Physicians maintained their role in prescribing treatment, while the pharmacist took the lead in coordinating medication access, including navigating the often-complex prior authorization process. Crucially, the pharmacist also conducted routine follow-up appointments to monitor patient adherence and address any concerns. This division of labor proved to be a pivotal change.
Dramatic Reduction in Time to Treatment
The clinic conducted a retrospective evaluation, comparing outcomes from July 2022 to June 2024 with the preceding period of July 2020 to June 2022. The results were striking. Implementation of the interdisciplinary team led to a substantial increase in the number of patients receiving HCV treatment. More importantly, the average time to initiate treatment plummeted from over six months to under two months – a reduction of nearly 66%.
“Sharing administrative and follow-up tasks across a team was associated with improved access to treatment,” researchers noted. This collaborative approach effectively removed bottlenecks and accelerated the path to care for patients in need.
Implications for National Healthcare
The success of this quality improvement initiative offers a replicable model for primary care clinics across the country. By strategically leveraging the expertise of pharmacists and support staff, physicians can alleviate administrative burdens and focus on patient care. This, in turn, can lead to improved treatment rates and better health outcomes for individuals living with HCV. The study underscores the power of team-based care in overcoming systemic barriers to healthcare access and delivering timely, effective treatment.
Source: American Academy of Family Physicians. Journal reference: Hull, M., (2026) Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Outcomes Using a Family Medicine Interdisciplinary Team. The Annals of Family Medicine. DOI: 10.1370/afm.250421. http://www.annfammed.org/content/24/1/77.
