In this episode of The Good GP, host Dr Krystyna de Lange is joined by Dr Joshua Hanson, a general and infectious disease physician based in Cairns, Australia. Providing in-depth discussion on Hepatitis B, focusing on screening, diagnosis, and management strategies for general practitioners.

Dr Hanson highlights the importance of screening for hepatitis B in Australia. He explains the hepatitis B tests recommended for screening and their interpretation, the importance of the hepatitis B surface antigen test as a key indicator of chronic infection.

They shifted to the initial assessment of patients newly diagnosed with hepatitis B. Dr Hanson describes the critical aspects of evaluating liver health, the potential impact of co-morbid factors such as alcohol use and smoking, and the significance of family history. They cover the various phases of hepatitis B infection, emphasising the need for general practitioners to determine the patient’s phase for effective management.

They also address the ongoing monitoring of hepatitis B patients, explaining the importance of regular clinical reviews and liver function tests. Dr Hanson discusses the need for routine checks to detect any progression of the disease or development of complications, such as fibrosis or liver cancer.

Links & Resources:

• Bpostive: a free resource examining all aspects of HBV care for clinicians working in primary care, collated by ASHM: https://hepatitisb.org.au/

• Decision making in hepatitis B: https://ashm.org.au/resources/decision-making-in-hepatitis-b/

The Good GP Podcast is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.

If you have any questions or would like to contact The Good GP, send an email to [email protected]. Visit www.thegoodgp.com.au for previous episodes and more information.

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