ASHM produces a range of practical resources to support GPs at the time of diagnosis as hepatitis B testing, diagnosis and management can be a complex area of primary care. These cover:
Immunisation is provided free of charge, for people at risk, by a number of state and territory governments. The vaccine can be ordered by GPs through your health department. Provisions vary according to jurisdiction and risk group.
Opportunistic testing of people at risk, particularly:
will reduce the number of people with CHB who are undiagnosed and subsequently reduce the mortality and morbidity caused by hepatitis B.
Opportunistic testing for hepatitis B, in a patient from a hepatitis B priority population, aligns with the screening provisions of the Medicare Benefits Schedule2
When testing for hepatitis B, the tests to be ordered are:
ASHM produces a range of practical resources to support GPs when making a new hepatitis B diagnosis. Guidance on hepatitis B testing and vaccination, informed consent and conveying a positive result is available. Information on ongoing management of chronic hepatitis B and resources to support patients are also provided.
The National Hepatitis B Strategy 2014-2017 set the following targets to be met by 2017:
ASHM plays an important role in the National Hepatitis B Testing Policy development. ASHM facilitates the ongoing review of the National Hepatitis B Testing Policy and manages National Testing Portal. The portal covers HIV, HBV and HCV testing. Each policy is guided by an Expert Reference Group.
ASHM develops a comprehensive range of practical resources to support the health professionals working with hepatitis B, as well as a series of profession-based booklets for groups most in contact with BBVs and STIs. The resources focus on prevention, testing, diagnosis, management and treatment and are available in printed and/or online formats.
HepBHelp is an independent website which aims to assist GPs in the further investigation and management of patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis B. HepBHelp was developed by VIDRL, in partnership with Cancer Council Victoria. This initiative was developed in recognition of the increasing burden of hepatitis B related liver cancer in Australia.
This 12-page booklet outlines hepatitis B virus and provides advice on the important role primary care providers can play in vaccination, diagnosis, management and treatment.
This two-page quick reference card provides an overview of the natural history of chronic hepatitis B and can be used when making decisions about hepatitis B management and treatment.
This manual provides a comprehensive summary of currently available knowledge and practice, reiterating the key role of primary care practitioners in the diagnosis, care and management of people living with chronic hepatitis B. It is intended to be used as a desktop resource by practitioners who require information to direct management or answer questions from patients living with CHB. It covers testing, interpretation of serology, initial assessment, ongoing monitoring, treatment and complex management situations such as pregnancy and advanced liver disease. There is also a website of B Positive
An educational tool developed and produced by St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. It is designed for health workers to use in a discussion about chronic hepatitis B with clients/patients who have low health literacy levels and are newly diagnosed. Patient resources are also available in Vietnamese, Cantonese and Mandarin and video animations are available online in a variety of languages.
The Testing Policy defines appropriate hepatitis B testing pathways using currently available technologies. It is relevant for all health professionals ordering and interpreting tests for hepatitis B. It is not intended to be a resource for people with or at risk of hepatitis B. Key areas of the policy relevant to GPs include:
Indications for hepatitis B testing
Conveying hepatitis B test results
This GPMP enables GPs to plan and coordinate the health care of patients with chronic hepatitis B using the Chronic Disease Management GP services items on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (Medicare items 721 and 723).
This 2014 review was overseen by an expert reference group comprised of general practitioners, nurses, and specialists, including epidemiology, immunology, hepatology, and gastroenterology. Download the entire handbook or download individual chapters, or order a hardcopy.
Preventing liver cancer through diagnosis and management of hepatitis B is a four-part module discusses the role general practitioners can play in the diagnosis and management of hepatitis B. The module can be accessed through RACGP's GP Learning. (Duration: Four 15-minute modules; CPD: approved for 2 Category 2 RACGP QI&CPD point)
This resource has been written for people who have received a positive hepatitis B test result. It provides a basic overview of hepatitis B and information around disclosure, management, preventing the spread of infection and useful websites. It was developed in collaboration with Cancer Council NSW. It is also available in 12 community languages: Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, Greek, Indonesian, Italian, Khmer, Korean, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese.
A hepatitis B resource developed specifically for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds produced by Multicultural HIV and Hepatitis Service, NSW. Available in Arabic, Chinese, Indonesian, Khmer, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and plain English, this booklet covers basic information about hepatitis B, consequences of chronic infection, transmission, testing, treatment, prevention and relevant services.
This booklet produced by St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne explains hepatitis B in plain language using engaging images. Patient resources are available in English, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Karen, Arabic, Burmese and Dari and video animations are available online in a variety of languages.
Produced by the Hepatitis Council of Queensland and Hepatitis Australia, this brochure provides simple informative answers to the frequently asked questions about hepatitis B. It is also available in Arabic, Chinese and Vietnamese.
Produced by the Gastroenterological Society of Australia, this four-page leaflet provides information about hepatitis B transmission and vaccination, plus treatment and monitoring techniques.
Hepatitis Australia is the peak community organisation for viral hepatitis. There are eight state and territory-based hepatitis organisations that form part of Hepatitis Australia.
ASHM develops and delivers national training curricula, face-to-face and online training, as well as webinars that cover prevention, testing and diagnosis.
Interpreting Hepatitis B Serology: Recommended wording for national laboratories to report hepatitis B diagnostic test results
This is a document designed for laboratories performing hepatitis B testing.
Its aim is to promote best practice testing and reporting of test results. This is in order to provide requesting doctors with a better understanding and interpretation of hepatitis serology, which can be confusing. The ultimate aim is to improve diagnosis and management of hepatitis B infection. Download it here
As a professional organisation, ASHM has an active program of policy development. ASHM contributes to policy, standards and the development of guidelines in the testing area.
Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). MBS – Note G13.1. 2012
