An exploration of the follow-up up needs of patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

The main finding was that patients prefer a more flexible follow-up care system. 'Virtual' care as an adjunct to patient-initiated consultations and self-management, was identified as optimal approaches to meet the patients' needs of follow-up care. New models of follow-up care could improve the patients' experience of care, offer potential cost savings with reduction in face-to-face consultations and allow targeted care to those who need it.

Understanding life experiences of people affected by Crohn's disease in Spain. A phenomenological approach

“…Due to the characteristic symptoms of this disease, such as bowel urgency, one of the greatest concerns of those affected is the loss of control over their own body as it has been evidenced previously by scientific literature. In line with this, they may even feel a level of rejection from the general population, provoked by the stigma associated with a disease considered as dirty because it involves body wastes .…”

An evaluation study of a pilot group education programme for inflammatory bowel disease

“…This may not necessarily be disease severity or symptoms, but ‘personal control’ 16 17. The educational programme enabled patients to seek specialist advice when needed, whereas previously this was seen as a frustration both in access to specialist care and lack of GP knowledge; the areas highlighted by the IMPACT survey18 and other studies 19. The participants also reported an increased sense of ‘control’ following the education programme, confirming the suggestion that a greater confidence in one's disease knowledge may have some positive effect on the psychological well being of patients with IBD 17…”

Implementing a self-management strategy in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): patient perceptions, clinical outcomes and the impact on service

“…There is limited evidence on the provision of self-management which supports self-initiation of therapy in IBD,5 despite the fact that patients seem to prefer flexible follow-up which incorporates medicine management 6…”