Course Goals and Objectives

The goal of this course is to increase substance abuse counselors' and other providers' knowledge and understanding of hepatitis C to allow them to more effectively meet the needs of their clients. Because hepatitis C is such a serious health consequence of injection drug use, those working with substance users need to be aware of the effects of HCV infection, modes of transmission, the course of the disease, and effective prevention strategies. This is especially important since many substance users are often not seen in primary care or other traditional healthcare settings. This information can then be integrated into the provision of existing services.

Upon completion of this course you should experience the following objectives:

• Increased understanding of major modes of transmission of hepatitis C



• Increased knowledge about populations most at risk for contracting hepatitis C



• Increased familiarity regarding the natural course of HCV infection and the health-related consequences



• Increased recognition of the signs and symptoms of hepatitis C



• Increased understanding about how hepatitis C infection is diagnosed and how the course of the disease is monitored



• Increased familiarity regarding the therapies used to treat hepatitis C



• Increased knowledge regarding strategies for preventing further spread of hepatitis C