Medical practices and expectations of general practitioners in relation to hepatitis C virus infection in the Auvergne region

To determine the medical practices and expectations of general practitioners concerning screening and management of hepatitis C in the Auvergne region. A survey was sent by mail to 250 general practitioners. They were then contacted by telephone interviews. 94% of general practitioners answered the survey. Each physician diagnosed an average of 0.6 new cases of hepatitis C in 1999, and had a mean of 3.2 patients with HCV in their practice. Screening was performed by 91% of general practitioners if there was a history of blood transfusion, by 87% if there was a history of intravenous drug use, by 92% in case of increased serum amino transferase levels. Screening was less frequent in case of household contact and was only performed by 68% general practitioners or of asthenia by 52% of general practitioners. Liver biopsy seems to be the main obstacle for the management of hepatitis C patients which is due to a refusal of liver biopsy by the patient according to 55% of general practitioners, a fear of complications according to 25% of general practitioners. Sixty percent of general practitioners considered that liver biopsy was performed in less than 50% of patients with hepatitis C. Fifty three percent of general practitioner thought that hepatitis C network could be useful for increasing their knowledge. Liver biopsy refusal by the patient restricts the management and therapy of patients with hepatitis C infection. Increase formation still requisite by 60 percent of general practitioner.