A series of online learning resources launched by the Hepatitis Foundation of New Zealand will help general practitioners stay informed about liver health and keep up with best practice developments.
The first module in the series of learning resources was published here on June 18. It gives healthcare professionals an introduction to hepatitis B, outlining biological characteristics of the virus, at-risk groups, treatment objectives and much more. The hepatitis B educational resources have been endorsed by the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) and have been approved for up to one credit for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) purposes.
“These resources will give primary healthcare professionals an opportunity to extend their knowledge of liver health and enhance their professional development,” Hepatitis Foundation CEO Susan Hay says.
More modules - covering fatty liver disease, cultural engagement within the liver healthcare field and stigma and discrimination, among other topics – will go live over the coming months. The resources have been developed as part of the Hepatitis Foundation’s ongoing collaboration with healthcare professionals around New Zealand, something Susan says is vital.
“Collaboration enables a seamless delivery of health services. Working with GPs
is a vital way for us to increase opportunistic testing in high-risk regions. Through GP referrals of people who are newly diagnosed with hepatitis B, we can offer tailored follow-up to meet monitoring needs,” she says.
“It’s important for everyone in the healthcare industry to work together to help people with hepatitis B achieve positive outcomes.”
