Province-to-province variability in hepatitis C testing, care, and treatment across Canada.

Background: Few countries have implemented the necessary policy changes to reduce the number of steps in the cascade of care to achieve hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination, including Canada. The aim of this study was to describe and compare legislation, scope of practice, and policy as it relates to the provision of HCV care in each province.

Methods: We reviewed grey literature and regulatory and legislative documents which affect various aspects of the HCV cascade of care.

Nurse practitioners as primary care site champions for the screening and treatment of hepatitis C virus.

Background: Primary care providers are often the first point of contact for hepatitis C virus (HCV) care, yet treatment initiation in primary care continues to be low. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are autonomous providers who, in Ontario, currently prescribe HCV therapy; however, methods to engage primary care NPs in HCV care have not occurred.

Purpose: To assess the feasibility of a systematic approach to train and support NPs in HCV testing, care, and treatment.