Outcomes of Treatment for Hepatitis C Virus Infection by Primary Care Providers

In this study of patients with hepatitis C virus infection residing in rural areas or prisons in New Mexico, treatment by primary care physicians (PCPs) trained and supported by university specialists through videoconferencing resulted in high rates of sustained virologic response. The Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) model was developed by the University of New Mexico (UNM) Health Sciences Center as a platform for both delivery of services and outcomes research. 1 , 2 The objectives of the ECHO program are to improve the access of minorities and other underserved populations to best-practice care for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, to determine the safety and efficacy of treatment for HCV infection based on the ECHO model in rural communities, and to compare the effectiveness of the ECHO model with that of university-based clinic treatment. The ECHO program increases the accessibility of populations . . .