At-Risk Patients Hidden in Plain Sight: Real-World Strategies for Screening and Treating Hepatitis B Virus

Statement of Need

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a global epidemic, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. In 2015, there were 257 million people worldwide infected with HBV. In 2016, only 10.5% were diagnosed, with only 16.7% receiving treatment, and without intervention, there are 19 million deaths anticipated by the end of 2020. These numbers are startling as they exist despite the availability of effective treatment, and this is in part due to lack of clinician knowledge on screening and managing patients with HBV as well as lack of ability to foster retention for wrap-around services.

In 2018, The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases released an updated guidance document for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic HBV, including recommendations for screening, testing, counseling, and use of the newest antiviral treatment. Early detection is imperative for prevention and treatment, and this puts internists and primary care clinicians on the front lines to reduce HBV’s global disease burden.

In this CME Outfitters virtual symposium, expert faculty utilize augmented reality to add visualization to their discussion on how to implement routine screening protocols for HBV in primary care settings, how to optimize the efficacy and safety profiles of current agents, and the importance of providing culturally appropriate counseling and support services to patients, which will ensure understanding of their disease and promote retention in care.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this CE activity, participants should be able to:
- Implement routine screening protocols for HBV in primary care settings and utilize results to drive guideline-directed care.
- Optimize efficacy and safety profiles of current agents when initiating or switching treatment in patients with HBV.
- Provide culturally appropriate counseling and support services to patients in order to ensure understanding of their disease and promote retention in care.

The following learning objectives pertain only to those requesting CNE or CPE credit:
- Explain routine screening protocols for HBV in primary care settings and how to utilize results to drive guideline-directed care.
- Describe efficacy and safety profiles of current agents for initiating or switching treatment in patients with HBV.
- Discuss culturally appropriate counseling and support services for patients in order to ensure understanding of their disease and promote retention in care.