BRIEF REPORT
Arpan Patel, MD, PhD; Neaka Mohtashemi, BA; Yash Motwani, BS; Chi-Hong Tseng, PhD; Jenna Kawamoto, PharmD; Phillip Chen, MD; Manuel Celedon, MD; Jihane Benhammou, MD; Tien Dong, MD, PhD; Folasade P. May, MD, PhD; Matthew Bidwell Goetz, MD; Debika Bhattacharya, MD
Corresponding Author: Debika Bhattacharya, MD; Greater Los Angeles Veteran Affairs Healthcare System; University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine.
Email: debikab@mednet.ucla.edu
DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.2025.250208R2
Keywords: Hepacivirus, Hepatitis C, Los Angeles, Primary Health Care, Screening, Surveys and Questionnaires, Veterans Health
Dates: Submitted: 06-03-2025; Revised: 06-26-2025; 12-04-2025; Accepted: 02-02-2026
Status: In Press.
BACKGROUND: In 2020, the United States Preventive Services Taskforce recommended one-time Hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening for all adults aged 18-79. As the largest provider of HCV treatment in the United States the Veterans Health Administration (VA) is committed to implementing these recommendations; thus, understanding perspectives of primary care teams towards this is critical.
METHODS: We disseminated a 24-item online survey to primary care clinicians (PCC), including physicians, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHCS). Our survey contained questions on respondent demographics, provider knowledge of HCV testing, practice patterns and beliefs, and preferences for new screening tools.
RESULTS: In total, 107 PCCs responded to the survey (107/385=28% response rate), with 100 complete responses. A majority (59%) were aware of universal HCV screening recommendations. Most PCCs reported confidence (71%), intent (77%), and commitment towards (82%) HCV screening. Only 38% reported remembering to screen Veterans regularly. The most strongly preferred strategies to enhance screening included automatic test orders during physician visits (71%) overall and both opt-out phlebotomy (50%) and use of an HCV dashboard among PCCs who reported forgetfulness with screening.
CONCLUSIONS: In a sample of providers within a large and diverse VA, 3 in 5 PCCs were aware of new universal HCV screening recommendations. There is high motivation among PCCs to perform screening, but forgetting to screen is still common. Several strategies to augment universal HCV screening were acceptable towards PCCs.