Vancouver, BC – In British Columbia, over 60,000 people are living with either hepatitis B or C, and as a result, are at risk for developing cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer and other non liver related illness.
To help combat these statistics and improve the lives of people infected or at risk of chronic viral hepatitis, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), and the BC Institute for Technology (BCIT) are launching a new online Viral Hepatitis Course for health and social care providers.
“Education to support effective prevention and management of chronic hepatitis B and C infections is challenging given how quickly new information on prevention, care and treatment develops” explains Dr. Mel Krajden, Medical Director, of Hepatitis Services at the BCCDC.
“A key driver for this course was all of the feedback we received from colleagues across the country,” explains Dr. Gail Butt, Associate Clinical Director of Hepatitis Services at the BCCDC, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority. “An online format was favored as it does not require travel and can facilitate communication between students from very different backgrounds and geographic areas. The course has definitely created a lot of excitement across the country, and has been endorsed by the Canadian Association of Hepatology Nurses.”
This is the first on-line course in Canada focused on educating healthcare providers such as nurses, pharmacists and social workers. The course will support education needs so that new prevention and care practices can be quickly adopted to improve the health of affected individuals and their families.
The course, titled Viral Hepatitis (NSOH 7700), was developed by the BCCDC, and will be offered through BCIT. BCCDC will continue to be actively involved and will provide expertise to ensure that the content remains relevant and up-to-date. Participants are encouraged to register on-line at: http://www.bcit.ca/health/industry/viralhep.shtml.
“Registration for this course is now open,” explains Janet Morrison from BCIT. “The class will begin in January 2011, and we have been receiving a lot of interest from care providers that work to prevent and control hepatitis.”
BCCDC's Hepatitis Division coordinates viral hepatitis prevention and treatment in BC through the integration of public health and care systems, comprehensive health promotion, and prevention and care of at-risk individuals and vulnerable populations.
For more information on Hepatitis, please visit:
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Media Contact:
Ritinder Harry
BCCDC Communications
604-707-2412
Ritinder.Harry@bccdc.ca
