Screening for Hepatitis B and C

Screening for Hepatitis B and C is organized by University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Division of Continuing Medical Education.

Start Date: February 2, 2024
End Date: February 2, 2026

Description:
This informative, one-hour, asynchronous, remote activity, titled "Screening for Hepatitis B and C," aims to address the knowledge gap about screening recommendations in our broad medical community and the need for more comprehensive screening practices for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) during new and existing patient appointments. Leading experts in HBV and HCV diagnosis, treatment, and epidemiology will deliver 4 didactic mini-lectures emphasizing the significance of HBV and HCV screening. They will cover recent updates to medical recommendations, information about potential high-risk populations, and effective communication strategies to boost screening rates among these patients.

The goal of this activity is to enhance participants' knowledge, competence, and confidence in administering appropriate screenings to patients and to motivate healthcare providers to adjust their practice approaches to support more comprehensive screening procedures. These changes can ultimately contribute to improved patient well-being, lowering the incidence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and are in line with the recent updates to national screening guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, learners will be able to:

• Characterize the diversity of Florida HCC incidence patterns and trends by primary etiology with particular focus on the role of chronic HCV and HBV
• Describe the potential racial-ethnic sensitivities regarding targeted HCV/HBV screening among specific race-ethnicities
• Raise awareness within the broader medical community about the CDC recommendation for a one-time screening of all adults for HBV and HCV
• Explain the role of the healthcare provider in providing culturally sensitive and respectful HCV/HBV patient education and recommendations
• Assess the higher HCC rates in certain racial-ethnic populations and the importance of providing comprehensive screening to all patients to detect undiagnosed HCV/HBV
• Evaluate the role of HCV/HBV in the development of HCC and the importance of prevention through screening for chronic HBV/HCV
• List the major risk factors of HCV/HBV in the local diverse population of Florida
• Cite new recommendations for HCV/HBV screening for patients