These numbers demonstrate that with guidance and support, PCPs who have never previously treated HCV can achieve the same rate of cure as a specialist (95-99%).
On March 5, 2020, the West Virginia Hepatitis Academic Mentoring Partnership (WVHAMP) held its first training in Bluefield, WV. Since then, ably supported by the West Virginia Rural Health Association, we have held quarterly full-day trainings, providing primary care and addiction care providers with ongoing guidance to manage West Virginians with hepatitis C from diagnosis to cure. To date, WVHAMP Scholars have submitted almost 900 consultations, achieving a 98.3% cure rate that is comparable to the 95-99% rate expected of specialists.
As our state now has “the most worrisome HIV outbreak in the US” according to the CDC, we are now offering PCPs the knowledge and guidance to diagnose and treat HIV.
February 28th, 2023
These numbers demonstrate that with guidance and support, PCPs who have never previously treated HCV can achieve the same rate of cure as a specialist (95-99%).
Dr. Humerick took the WVHAMP training in 2022 and has submitted 15 consultations, and cured 5 patients of the 6 that have completed treatment so far. Dr. Humerick works with her colleagues at WVU Rural Family Medicine Residency to mentor the resident physicians in treating Hepatitis C in clinic and as part of their street medicine program/rotation.
She has successfully treated patients with housing insecurity and those with active substance use that are
actively participating in the local harm reduction program at Berkeley County
Health Department. Learning a new, practicing changing skill has been
rewarding for her as a physician and part of a patient centered approach to
medicine. Dr, Humerick has seen that patients appreciate the one stop shop
of treating their Hepatitis C while addressing acute and chronic primary care
issues.
WVHAMP is a free telementoring partnership designed for primary and addiction care providers to link with disease experts for hepatitis C training. WVHAMP is designed to build a mentorship platform that is accessible to primary and addiction care providers caring for high-risk individuals throughout West Virginia, so that individuals with chronic hepatitis C can be cared for and cured in their own community.
Each Cohort will have a full-day (WVHAMP 1) session followed by a half-day (WVHAMP 2) session approximately 6 months later. Monthly evening webinars will occur every 2 months on the 2nd or 3rd Tuesday.