HepTalk is a research project supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The goal of HepTalk is productive communication between primary care providers and adult migrant patients about risks and prevention of hepatitis A, B, and C. Because viral hepatitis, like HIV, is an illness fraught with social stigma, and because migrants are subject to other stigmas associated with mobility, poverty, and immigration, risk assessments between clinician and patient can be emotionally charged and difficult. Prevention strategies can include relatively straightforward approaches such as immunization, but may also include more emotionally charged and complex behavior change considerations regarding personal and family hygiene, sex, and illegal drug use. HepTalk aims to help clinicians negotiate difficult moments in risk assessments so that dialogue about viral hepatitis risk and prevention does actually occur.

The HepTalk team visited 27 clinics in five regions across the United States and assessed clinic environments for availability of information about viral hepatitis and opportunities to offer it. The team also collected information about best practices observed. Based on these assessments, the Project team developed onsite and distance training for participating clinic staff. Training included standardized patient instruction to help providers and other clinical staff conduct efficient, thorough, and productive risk assessments. It also offered a module for adapting clinic systems (chart forms, patient flow, etc.) to include more opportunities for patient education; a module on migrant health issues; and a module on viral hepatitis basics, aimed at giving clinical staff (not just providers) a comfortable knowledge base from which to address hepatitis issues with their clients.