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Learning Objective:
By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to:
1) Acknowledge the Asian/Pacific Islander (API) population as at-risk for hepatitis B (HBV) and liver cancer.
2) Recognize the need to educate TCM practitioners about the prevalence, prevention, transmission, diagnosis and treatment of HBV.
3) Develop effective strategies to educate health care providers about HBV and liver cancer.
Background:
Current physician education is targeted exclusively at Western medicine practitioners and no studies evaluate HBV and liver cancer knowledge levels in practitioners who are licensed to practice Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture. However, these practitioners should be a primary target for physician education because most of their patients are Asians, who have the highest rate of chronic HBV infection. The Asian Liver Center (ALC) now hosts an annual Hepatitis B Prevention & Education Symposium for TCM practitioners.
Setting:
Holiday Inn – San Francisco, CA
Population e.g. API Youth, MSM, IDU:
TCM Practitioners and Acupuncturists (378 participants)
Project Description:
In addition to culturally appropriate presentations about HBV and liver cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment, we implement smaller group workshops to discuss current obstacles and potential strategies to promote HBV testing and vaccination. The ALC created a comprehensive physician education handbook, offered in English and Chinese, called “A Physician's Guide to Hepatitis B” (featured on CDC website). We administer pre/post knowledge assessment surveys - CME credits for participation are awarded only after completion of the surveys. After the symposium, participants can refer patients to 37 ALC satellite labs for low-cost hepatitis B screening and vaccination.
Results/Lessons Learned:
With each symposium, there are significant increases in HBV and liver cancer knowledge levels. TCM practitioners' understanding of HBV, its risk in the API community, and effective treatment and prevention methods rise significantly. This symposium received an official commendation from the San Francisco Mayor's office and the President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Web Page: liver.stanford.edu
See more of D2 - Models for Reaching Out: Developing Culturally Competent Hepatitis Prevention Programs
See more of The 2005 National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference