A significant number of GPs are not confident managing patients with hepatitis B without the help of specialist, a survey reveals.

Of the 123 Sydney based GPs who completed the survey, most said they were “very” or “reasonably” confident about managing patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

However, almost 20% said they were “not very” or “not at all” confident, the authors reported in the study published in the MJA. 

 Most GPs said they were most comfortable with a care model that included initial review by a specialist and continuing GP management.

They showed less support for a model in which there was no specialist input, and a reluctance to accept review by a hepatitis clinical nurse consultant alone.

The survey results suggest that barriers, including dependence on specialist input, still hinder the appropriate assessment and management of CHB patients by GPs, the researchers concluded.

“Well designed and targeted support programs that include specialist support are needed if there is to be a successful shift to an increased role for GPs in the model of care for managing CHB,” they said.