An Evaluation of the Ottawa Hospital Viral Hepatitis Telemedicine Program and Increasing Hepatitis C Virus Care Engagement of Indigenous Peoples Through Telemedicine

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate The Ottawa Hospital Viral Hepatitis Program (TOHVHP) telemedicine (TM) program for patient retention, treatment initiation and sustained virologic response (SVR) rates. Methods: Retrospective analysis of TOHVHP cohort data for patients entering HCV care between 2012 and 2016. Logistic regression modeling was used to assess characteristics associated with patient retention, treatment initiation, and achieving SVR. TM outcomes were compared to the standard outpatient clinic and mixed delivery outcomes. Results: Treatment initiation rates were comparable between TM and the outpatient clinic. TM delivered Direct Acting Antiviral treatments achieved high SVR outcomes across all patient populations. Patient retention was lower among TM patients. Conclusion: TOHVHP TM program engaged patients facing barriers to traditional HCV care models. Efforts to improve TM retention are needed.