A qualitative assessment of factors impacting adoption and implementation of USPSTF age-based hepatitis C virus screening recommendations Amy B. Jessop, PhD, MPH, Janna Manjelievskaia, PhD (c), MPH, Tamar Klaiman, PhD, MPH, Department of Health Policy and Public Health, University of the Sciences, Introduction Methods Results Results Smart tools: All subjects stated the need for smart tools that would prompt appropriate actions at the point of care Some resident physicians reported using a cell phone app from major advisory bodies, such as the USPSTF and CDC to perform recommended guidelines Resident physicians reported a need for a more comprehensive electronic medical record system in which the most current guidelines and recommendations would be incorporated Staying Up to Date on Guidelines: Most residents looked to their attending physician for current screening practices Most participants named email as the least effective method of notification of new guidelines Hepatitis C (HCV) virus affects an estimated 3-4 million Americans HCV can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver transplant An estimated 65% of Americans with HCV are unaware of their infection Adults born between 1945 and 1965, the “baby boomers”, comprise 75% U.S. residents living with HCV  In 2013, to improve identification of HCV-infected Americans USPSTF expanded its risk-based HCV screening recommendation to include one-time screening for all baby boomers Setting: A large family medicine clinic and residency program in suburban Philadelphia Interviews were conducted with all staff who see adult patients at the practice (5 attending, 12 resident physicians and 1 nurse practitioner) Knowledge: Awareness of the expanded HCV recommendation varied by position with the NP and attending physicians most aware Knowledge of guideline details was limited Attitudes toward Guidelines: Guidelines were viewed as helpful tools by all subjects, but the source of the guideline was considered before adoption American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) was most often named as the preferred source of clinical practice guidelines USPSTF was considered a credible source Screening Practices: Subjects who cared for HCV-affected patients reported a greater need and importance of HCV screening in their practice Self-reported HCV screening rates ranged from 2-25% Barriers to Screening: Barriers included cost, the large number of recommended preventive actions (breast, cervical, colorectal cancer screenings and vaccinations), forgetting, patient push back and lack of time Data Collection: In-person, semi-structured interviews were conducted and recorded. Subjects were asked about: Knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of clinical practice guidelines, in general Awareness of USPSTF HCV recommendation The need for this type of screening at their practice Experience with and barriers to ordering HCV tests Self-reported HCV screening rates among baby boomers Their preferred methods of staying up to date on new guidelines. Analysis: Researchers compiled responses to knowledge and sources of guidelines. Identified common themes for attitude, belief, and preferred methods for staying up to date Conclusion While knowledge of the “baby boomer” HCV screening recommendation varied among providers, adoption was low, with the NP reporting the highest screening rate at 25% Smart tools at the point of care may improve screening rates in family practice settings Born between 1945 and 1965? The USPSTF recommends you get tested for Hepatitis C virus Acknowledgments This study examines awareness and adoption of the “Baby Boomer” HCV screening recommendation The authors would like to thank Drs. Kathleen Lawlor and Allen Dimino of Bryn Mawr Family Practice for their help in this project.