HCV Hepatitis C and HEALTH CARE

Many physicians are not fully educated about HCV Hepatitis C .

If you have a family doctor, you may want to quiz him or her about HCV Hepatitis C . It is important to find a doctor who is both knowledgeable about and sympathetic to people with HCV Hepatitis C .

If you are not comfortable with your doctor, look for a new one; ask family or friends for recommendations.

YOU should look for a doctor you trust with whom you can

Develop rapport and mutual trust

Be non-judgmental and have a respectful attitude towards you and your treatment preferences and lifestyle

Provide advice and information on the full range of medical and non-medical approaches to managing hepatitis C

Provide sufficient information to make informed decisions that best suit your lifestyle, occupational and social responsibilities, personal needs and preferences

Once your HCV Hepatitis C diagnosis has been confirmed, your family doctor or general practitioner should send you to a specialist.

Generally, you will be referred to a gastroenterologist (a digestive disease specialist) or a hepatologist (a liver disease specialist).

HCV Hepatitis C and Discrimination

Health care workers should respect the rights of people with hepatitis C regardless of how they were infected. Everyone living with hepatitis C should have access to care and services regardless of transmission route, gender, race, culture, sexual orientation or lifestyle issues (such as drug use).

Occasionally you may come across a negative, small minority of uneducated health professionals with a judgmental attitude to you and HCV Hepatitis C .

If you feel you have been discriminated against in a Healthcare setting one option is to talk to the friendly staff at the Health and Disability Commission (New Zealand) who promote the rights and responsibilities of consumers and providers and to resolve complaints Phone 0800 555 050 (New Zealand only)

Health and Disability Commission