Successful treatment of patients with hepatitis C in rural and remote Western Australia via telehealth

Abstract

Rural and remote patients at the Royal Perth Hospital were reviewed and treated for hepatitis C by a hepatologist and nurse practitioner using telehealth (videoconferencing). Over a four-year period, 50 patients were treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin, and participated in a total of more than 500 telehealth sessions. Sustained virological response rates (SVRs) were compared to those in face-to-face (FTF) clinics to assess treatment outcomes. Treatment through telehealth was found to be non-inferior to FTF clinics. Telehealth patients with genotype 1 infection achieved a higher rate of SVR than those attending FTF clinics (73% versus 54%, respectively), although the difference was not significant. SVR rates for genotype 2 and 3 of 72% were similar in telehealth to FTF rates of 74%. A total of 35 telehealth patients completed a satisfaction questionnaire and most indicated that they were happy with the programme and would participate again in the future. The study confirmed that telehealth is an effective option for the treatment of hepatitis C in rural and remote areas.