ISG Summer Meeting 2025

Poster Presentations - Third Award

Ms Ellen Gercik
Mercy University Hospital, Cork

TBA (25S104)

Identify care deficits in an Irish IBD clinic with the utilization of the IBD Disc

Author(s)

Ellen Gercik, Professor Mairtin Buckley , Kathleen Sugrue, Sarah Gleeson, Catriona O’Sullivan, Rose Twomey.

Department(s)/Institutions

Department of Gastroenterology, Mercy University Hospital

Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is strongly associated with extra-intestinal manifestations (EIM); up to 25% - 40% patients experience an EIM. A multi-disciplinary approach in the management of IBD has been recommended by multiple publications including Nice Quality Standards. Many services recommended are not currently offered to IBD patients as standard practice.

Aims/Background

The aim of this project is to identify patient perceived care deficits in an Irish IBD clinic with the utilization of the IBD Disk. The questionnaire assesses patient’s views on the necessity and availability of additional services, while the IBD Disk provides immediate visual representation of patient -reported -disability.

Method

Questionnaires including the IBD Disk were administered to one hundred consecutive patients attending the IBD clinic at MUH, with the help of the IBD nurses. Every participant had a formal diagnosis of IBD.

Results

There is a discrepancy between patient perceived needs and availability of additional services. Services which were deemed inaccessible by at least half of the participants included ophthalmology (50%), hepatology (50.7%), dietetics (50.6%), dermatology (57.7%), clinical psychology (60.35%), and social work (64.7%). Dietetics received the most engagement by participants; 77% stated that they would find access beneficial in the future. Another popular service amongst patients was clinical psychology; 58% participants said that they would find future access beneficial.

Conclusions

This study supports the incorporation of additional services into standard multidisciplinary care of IBD, given the demand demonstrated by the data. Providing patients with access to a dietician specialised in IBD as well as a clinical psychologist should be prioritised.

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