Viral Hepatitis In the News: Motivational HCV Interviewing Videos Available on HCV Current

An estimated 3.5 million people are living with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the United States and past or current injection drug use is one important risk factor for infection. Providers who work with individuals who have substance use disorders are in a key position to motivate patients to get tested for HCV. The opioid epidemic has led to alarming increases in opioid use disorders, injection drug use, and infectious diseases that make HCV testing an important part of a comprehensive response to the opioid epidemic.

The Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network, funded by the HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), has developed Motivational Interviewing to Address Hepatitis C, a series of six video vignettes. These videos demonstrate motivational interviewing techniques to support both providers and patients in understanding key issues and promoting positive health choices. The vignettes are part of the HCV Current initiative and feature diverse scenarios with patients at risk for HCV, including:

• Henry, a health conscious baby boomer who previously used heroin while serving overseas in the military
• Jorge, a 25 year-old currently on methadone who is reluctant to talk about previous opioid addiction and sex work
• Tony, age 30, is experiencing depression after a breakup and is concerned about infection after having unprotected sex
• Concetta, age 26 learns during a doctor visit for an unrelated injury, that her tattoo put her at risk for HCV
• Eddie, age 24, formerly used intravenous heroin following a serious car accident, and is now doing well on Suboxone
• Eva, age 23, found a syringe in her husband’s clothes and is concerned about HIV and any implications for starting a family

The National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan, 2017 – 2020 has identified people who inject drugs (PWID) as a priority population and a focus for national efforts to address the epidemic of HCV. To learn more, download the plan and see how to get involved.