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Self-Study Modules and Sections

  1. For any clinician who may encounter persons with hepatitis C virus infection and would like to establish core competence in testing for hepatitis C, counseling patients on preventing hepatitis C transmission, and diagnosing acute hepatitis C infection.
  2. Intended for clinicians involved in long-term management of persons with chronic hepatitis C infection. Content includes initial evaluation, natural history, preventing liver damage, staging of liver fibrosis, evaluation of cirrhosis, surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma, and recognition of extrahepatic manifestations.
  3. Addresses the diagnosis and management of complications that may arise in person with chronic HCV infection and cirrhosis, including ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, varicies, hepatic encephalopathy, and referral for liver transplantation.
  4. For clinicians evaluating persons with chronic HCV infection for hepatitis C treatment, including clinicians who will independently assess treatment candidacy and clinicians who will provide treatment candidacy with assistance from a hepatitis C expert.
  5. Reviews simplified HCV treatment for all HCV genotypes and how to treat persons with prior HCV treatment experience, cirrhosis, or acute HCV infection.
  6. Designed for clinicians who manage key populations of persons living with HCV and/or complex HCV-related unique treatment issues. Material covered is at an advanced level.

Core Competencies for the Hepatitis C Online

The following is an outline and list of Core Competency Modules (with sub-competency lessons and learning objective performance indicators).

Module 1. Screening and Diagnosis of Hepatitis C Infection

Module Core Competency
Apply Evidence-Based Recommendations to Provide Screening and Diagnosis of HCV Infection
Lessons
Learning Objective Performance Indicators
  • Describe the epidemiologic profile of the HCV epidemic in the United States
  • Discuss application of HCV epidemiological data in public health planning
  • Identify key risk factors and their mitigation for transmission of HCV
  • Describe the impact of the ongoing opioid epidemic on trends in HCV epidemiology
  • Summarize Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) case definitions for acute and chronic HCV infection
  • Discuss 2020 Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for HCV screening
  • List the 2020 US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) screening recommendations for HCV infection
  • Explain the rationale for universal HCV screening in the United States
  • List the CDC recommendations for HCV screening in perinatally exposed infants and children
  • Summarize the rationale for routine HCV screening in perinatally exposed infants and children
  • Describe screening and supplemental tests used for diagnosing HCV infection
  • Summarize the recommended HCV testing sequence involving antibody and RNA testing
  • Discuss post-test counseling messages and linkage to care for persons with active HCV infection
  • Interpret HCV test results correctly
  • Communicate meaning of HCV test results to persons who undergo testing
  • List common routes of HCV transmission
  • Discuss appropriate counseling to prevent sexual transmission of HCV
  • Describe counseling messages to prevent transmission of HCV through injection drug use
  • Explain prevention messages for preventing household transmission of HCV
  • Summarize counseling messages for preventing perinatal HCV transmission
  • Define acute HCV infection
  • Recognize the clinical features, if present, in persons with acute HCV infection
  • Describe the timing of positivity with HCV RNA and HCV antibody tests after acquisition of HCV
  • List appropriate laboratory tests required to make a diagnosis of acute HCV infection
  • Summarize the approach for laboratory testing following a known exposure to HCV

Module 2. Evaluation, Staging, and Monitoring of Chronic Hepatitis C

Module Core Competency
Provide Evidence-Based Evaluation, Staging, and Monitoring to Persons with Chronic Hepatitis C Infection
Lessons
Learning Objective Performance Indicators
  • Describe key aspects of the medical history to obtain in a new evaluation of persons with HCV infection
  • Identify key abnormal physical examination findings that may be present in a person with HCV and cirrhosis
  • Summarize recommended laboratory studies to obtain for a person with HCV at the initial evaluation visit
  • List immunizations that should be administered to persons with chronic HCV infection
  • Discuss the evaluation of secondary causes of liver disease in persons with chronic HCV infection
  • Summarize spontaneous viral clearance versus persistent infection following initial HCV acquisition
  • Describe the variable outcomes that can occur in persons with chronic HCV infection
  • List factors that influence the rate of progression of fibrosis in persons with chronic HCV infection
  • Discuss the impact of alcohol intake on fibrosis progression in persons with chronic HCV infection
  • Determine which common liver health counseling messages should be addressed in persons with chronic HCV infection
  • Explain recommendations for intake of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications in persons with chronic HCV infection
  • Discuss key counseling messages related to coffee, diet, and complementary medications in persons with chronic HCV infection
  • Clarify guidance related to alcohol and marijuana use in persons with chronic HCV infection
  • Explain the indications, risks, and histologic assessment for liver biopsy in persons with chronic HCV infection
  • Discuss noninvasive Indirect and direct tests of liver fibrosis and examine the potential clinical utility of these tests
  • Summarize key radiologic methods that can estimate hepatic fibrosis
  • Differentiate compensated cirrhosis from decompensated cirrhosis
  • Explain the classification and prognostic systems for cirrhosis
  • Summarize important aspects of the medical history and physical examination in persons with cirrhosis
  • Describe key manifestations and complications associated with decompensated cirrhosis
  • Discuss the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in persons with chronic HCV
  • Describe the rationale for hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in persons with chronic HCV infection
  • Compare different surveillance testing methods used for hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance
  • Summarize the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) recommendations for surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma
  • Identify the most common clinical syndromes associated with HCV-related cryoglobulinemia
  • Describe the renal extrahepatic manifestations associated with chronic HCV infection
  • Recognize the most common dermatologic extrahepatic manifestations associated with chronic HCV infection
  • Explain the relationship of chronic HCV infection and lymphomas

Module 3. Management of Cirrhosis-Related Complications

Module Core Competency
Apply Evidence-Based Recommendations to Management of Cirrhosis-Related Complications in Persons with HCV Infection
Lessons
Learning Objective Performance Indicators
  • Provide a list of causes in the differential diagnosis of ascites
  • Diagnose ascites based on physical examination findings
  • Describe the appropriate technique for performing abdominal paracentesis
  • Summarize appropriate medical management and dietary recommendations for persons with ascites
  • Discuss ascites-associated complications and treatment
  • Explain the diagnostic criteria for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
  • Differentiate spontaneous bacterial peritonitis from secondary bacterial peritonitis
  • Select appropriate antimicrobial therapy for persons with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
  • List indications for initiating primary and secondary bacterial peritonitis prophylaxis
  • Discuss appropriate regimens for primary and secondary bacterial peritonitis prophylaxis
  • Explain the basic pathogenesis of cirrhosis-related portal hypertension
  • Describe how to diagnose clinically-significant portal hypertension
  • Discuss the rationale and indications for variceal screening in persons with cirrhosis
  • Summarize recommendations for prophylaxis of variceal bleeding
  • List key aspects of managing acute variceal bleeding
  • List the clinical features of persons with hepatic encephalopathy
  • Describe specific diagnostic tests used to diagnose hepatic encephalopathy
  • Summarize the approach to management of persons with hepatic encephalopathy
  • Explain the rationale for using nonabsorbable disaccharides for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy
  • Discuss the role of antimicrobial therapy for the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy
  • List the most common indications for cirrhosis-related liver transplantation
  • Discuss the timing of referral for liver transplantation in the United States
  • Use and interpret the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) prognostic scoring system
  • Describe the relative contraindications for liver transplantation
  • Summarize the absolute contraindications for liver transplantation

Module 4. Evaluation and Preparation for Hepatitis C Treatment

Module Core Competency
Provide Evidence-Based Evaluation and Preparation for Treatment of Persons with Hepatitis C Infection
Lessons
Learning Objective Performance Indicators
  • Summarize the goals and rationale for HCV therapy in persons with chronic HCV
  • Discuss the long-term impact of HCV treatment in persons with chronic HCV
  • List several factors that potentially impact response to HCV treatment with direct-acting antiviral therapy
  • Summarize current recommendations for HCV treatment indications in persons with chronic HCV
  • Discuss relative and absolute contradictions for HCV treatment with direct-acting antiviral therapy
  • List specific monitoring studies when HCV treatment is deferred
  • Summarize the key steps in hepatitis C care continuum
  • List major barriers to hepatitis C testing
  • Describe approaches for improving linkage to hepatitis C care services 
  • Discuss strategies for expanding hepatitis C medical provider capacity

Module 5. Treatment of Hepatitis C Infection

Module Core Competency
Apply Evidence-Based Treatment for Hepatitis C Infection
Lessons
Learning Objective Performance Indicators
  • Summarize the eligibility criteria for the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease/Infectious Diseases Society of America (AASLD/IDSA) simplified HCV treatment algorithm
  • Discuss how to assess liver fibrosis, including identifying decompensated cirrhosis
  • List the direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment regimens recommended as part of the AASLD/IDSA simplified guidance
  • Describe on-treatment monitoring for adults during HCV treatment using the simplified AASLD/IDSA guidance
  • Describe appropriate post-treatment monitoring for adults after completing HCV treatment
  • Discuss the approach to retreatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C in the direct-acting antiviral (DAA) era
  • List the preferred therapeutic combinations for retreatment in persons with prior sofosbuvir-containing regimens
  • Describe recommended options for retreatment in persons with prior treatment with elbasvir-grazoprevir
  • Review preferred retreatment options for persons with prior treatment with glecaprevir-pibrentasvir
  • Summarize options for persons with multiple prior DAA treatment failures
  • List the recommended monitoring for treatment efficacy and safety in adults receiving HCV therapy
  • Discuss monitoring for hepatitis B virus reactivation during HCV therapy
  • Summarize the approach to persons with elevated alanine aminotransferase levels (ALT) during therapy
  • Define sustained virologic response
  • Describe appropriate monitoring for patients after HCV treatment
  • Distinguish persons with compensated cirrhosis from those with decompensated cirrhosis
  • Summarize the impact of treating HCV in persons with cirrhosis
  • Discuss major studies involving regimens with pangenotypic activity used to treat HCV in persons with compensated cirrhosis
  • Provide appropriate HCV treatment options for persons with compensated cirrhosis
  • List approaches to treatment of HCV in persons with decompensated cirrhosis
  • Discuss HCV epidemiologic features of acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the United States
  • Explain spontaneous HCV clearance after acute infection and its impact on treatment strategies
  • Formulate an approach to evaluate and treat persons with acute HCV infection
  • Describe timing for initiating treatment of persons with acute HCV infection
  • Summarize recommendations for treatment regimens for persons with acute HCV infection

Module 6. Treatment of Key Populations and Unique Situations

Module Core Competency
Apply Evidence-Based HCV Treatment to Key Populations and in Unique Situations
Lessons
Learning Objective Performance Indicators
  • Explain the impact of HIV on the progression of liver fibrosis in persons with untreated chronic HCV
  • Describe current HCV treatment approaches in persons with HIV coinfection
  • Discuss HCV treatment responses in persons with HIV and HCV coinfection compared with responses in persons with HCV monoinfection
  • Summarize recommendations for treating HIV in persons with HCV and HIV coinfection
  • List key drug interactions between HCV direct-acting antivirals and HIV antiretroviral medications
  • Explain the impact of HCV on renal disease
  • Summarize the main findings from HCV treatment studies in people with renal disease
  • Discuss dosing of direct-acting antiviral medications in persons with chronic renal disease
  • Describe appropriate HCV treatment in persons prior to renal transplantaton
  • Summarize HCV treatment recommendations in persons following renal transplantation
  • Discuss the prevalence of substance use among persons in the United States
  • Describe HCV treatment responses in persons with substance use disorders compared with those who do not have substance use disorders
  • Summarize HCV treatment eligibility in persons who have a past or current substance use disorder
  • List support services and management strategies for persons with substance use disorders who have chronic HCV infection
  • Explain the concept of HCV reinfection in persons who inject drugs
  • Describe HCV prevalence in the correctional setting
  • Explain the difference between jails and prisons
  • Summarize HCV screening recommendations in correctional settings
  • State recommendations for HCV treatment eligibility in prisons
  • Discuss HCV treatment approach in prisons
  • List the definition of health care personnel
  • Estimate the risk of HCV seroconversion after an occupational exposure to HCV that involves a needlestick injury
  • Describe management of health care personnel exposed to HCV, based on type and nature of exposure
  • Summarize monitoring and follow-up testing of health care personnel after occupational exposure to HCV
  • Discuss the treatment approach for health care personnel who acquire HCV from an occupational exposure
  • Describe the current guidelines for HCV screening in pregnant women
  • Identify the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HCV and factors associated with increased risk of transmission
  • Summarize the impact of HCV on pregnancy outcomes
  • Describe interventions and/or prophylactic measures to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HCV
  • List recommendations for HCV testing and management in infants born to mothers with HCV.

Curriculum Progress Tracker - 4th Edition

Curated Curriculum 1Self-Study Module 1
For any clinician who may encounter persons with hepatitis C virus infection and would like to establish core competence in testing for hepatitis C, counseling patients on preventing hepatitis C transmission, and diagnosing acute hepatitis C infection.
Curated Curriculum 3Self-Study Module 3
Addresses the diagnosis and management of complications that may arise in person with chronic HCV infection and cirrhosis, including ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, varicies, hepatic encephalopathy, and referral for liver transplantation.
Curated Curriculum 5Self-Study Module 5
Reviews simplified HCV treatment for all HCV genotypes and how to treat persons with prior HCV treatment experience, cirrhosis, or acute HCV infection.
Curated Curriculum 6Self-Study Module 6
Designed for clinicians who manage key populations of persons living with HCV and/or complex HCV-related unique treatment issues. Material covered is at an advanced level.
Lesson 1 
 
 
 
Lesson 2 
 
 
 
Lesson 3 
 
 
 
Lesson 4 
 
 
 
Lesson 5 
 
 
 
Lesson 6 
Self-Assessment

Curriculum Progress Tracker - 3rd Edition

3rd Edition. There is a newer edition of this curriculum.
Curated Curriculum 1Self-Study Module 1
3rd Edition. There is a newer edition of this Curated Curriculum. This is your progress from the previous edition (3rd).
For any clinician who may encounter persons with hepatitis C virus infection and would like to establish core competence in testing for hepatitis C, counseling patients on preventing hepatitis C transmission, and diagnosing acute hepatitis C infection.
Curated Curriculum 2Self-Study Module 2
Intended for clinicians involved in long-term management of persons with chronic hepatitis C infection. Content includes initial evaluation, natural history, preventing liver damage, staging of liver fibrosis, evaluation of cirrhosis, surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma, and recognition of extrahepatic manifestations.
Curated Curriculum 3Self-Study Module 3
3rd Edition. There is a newer edition of this Curated Curriculum. This is your progress from the previous edition (3rd).
Addresses the diagnosis and management of complications that may arise in person with chronic HCV infection and cirrhosis, including ascites, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, varicies, hepatic encephalopathy, and referral for liver transplantation.
Curated Curriculum 4Self-Study Module 4
For clinicians evaluating persons with chronic HCV infection for hepatitis C treatment, including clinicians who will independently assess treatment candidacy and clinicians who will provide treatment candidacy with assistance from a hepatitis C expert.
Curated Curriculum 5Self-Study Module 5
3rd Edition. There is a newer edition of this Curated Curriculum. This is your progress from the previous edition (3rd).
For clinicians treating chronic hepatitis C infection. Material covered includes recommendations for treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced persons with chronic HCV infection genotypes 1-6, based on the Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and Infectious Diseases Society of America (AASLD-IDSA) HCV Guidance.
Lesson 1 
 
 
 
 
Lesson 2 
 
 
 
 
Lesson 3 
 
 
 
 
Lesson 4 
 
 
 
Lesson 5 
 
 
 
Lesson 6 
 
Lesson 7 
Self-Assessment

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