PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - David Whiteley
AU  - Elizabeth M Speakman
AU  - Lawrie Elliott
AU  - Helen Jarvis
AU  - Katherine Davidson
AU  - Michael Quinn
AU  - Paul Flowers
TI  - Developing a primary care-initiated hepatitis C treatment pathway in Scotland: a qualitative study
AID  - 10.3399/BJGP.2022.0044
DP  - 2022 Sep 01
TA  - British Journal of General Practice
PG  - e668--e676
VI  - 72
IP  - 722
4099  - http://bjgp.org/content/72/722/e668.short
4100  - http://bjgp.org/content/72/722/e668.full
SO  - Br J Gen Pract2022 Sep 01; 72
AB  - Background The ease of contemporary hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy has prompted a global drive towards simplified and decentralised treatment pathways. In some countries, primary care has become an integral component of community-based HCV treatment provision. In the UK, however, the role of primary care providers remains largely focused on testing and diagnosis alone.Aim To develop a primary care-initiated HCV treatment pathway for people who use drugs, and recommend theory-informed interventions to help embed that pathway into practice.Design and setting A qualitative study informed by behaviour change theory. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with key stakeholders (n = 38) primarily from two large conurbations in Scotland.Method Analysis was three-stage. First, a broad pathway structure was outlined and then sequential pathway steps were specified; second, thematic data were aligned to pathway steps, and significant barriers and enablers were identified; and, third, the Theoretical Domains Framework and Behaviour Change Wheel were employed to systematically develop ideas to enhance pathway implementation, which stakeholders then appraised.Results The proposed pathway structure spans broad, overarching challenges to primary care-initiated HCV treatment. The theory-informed recommendations align with influences on different behaviours at key pathway steps, and focus on relationship building, routinisation, education, combating stigmas, publicising the pathway, and treatment protocol development.Conclusion This study provides the first practicable pathway for primary care-initiated HCV treatment in Scotland, and provides recommendations for wider implementation in the UK. It positions primary care providers as an integral part of community-based HCV treatment, providing workable solutions to ingrained barriers to care.