The Structured Interview for the Treatment of the Hepatitis C Virus (SIT-HCV)

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the Structured Interview for the Treatment of the Hepatitis C Virus (SIT-HCV). This comprehensive interview expands upon a standard psychiatric interview by including those medical, psychological, and behavioral factors that are essential to determining a patient’s psychological appropriateness for interferon therapy. A detailed description of the SIT-HCV is provided, highlighting its utility in developing recommendations that positively impact patients’ treatment outcomes. The advantages of the SIT-HCV will be presented, including a discussion on how this approach can ensure comprehensive assessment and facilitate research, training, and patient education.