Improving Care for Recently Diagnosed Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: Lessons Learned From a Patient-Centred, Mixed-Method Study

Abstract

Background and aims: Newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] patients need to deal with the physical and emotional impact of the disease. We aimed to evaluate care for recently diagnosed IBD patients from the patient perspective and assess themes for improvement.

Methods: A mixed-method study with adult IBD patients 4-15 months after diagnosis was performed. First, relevant themes were identified through semi-structured interviews until data saturation. Next, a questionnaire assessing satisfaction with care [SATI-Q] was developed and validated with 15 items divided into two domains: medical care and information and psychosocial care. Higher scores indicate higher patient satisfaction [0-100].

Results: We interviewed 20 patients. Next, 84/107 patients completed the SATI-Q: 51% female, aged 37 years (interquartile range [IQR 25-58]), 36% Crohn's disease, disease duration 9 months [IQR 6-12] and 74% in clinical remission. The median SATI-Q score was 82 [IQR 72-92]. Patients were more satisfied with medical care than with information and psychosocial care (score 92 [IQR 81-98] vs 74 [IQR 60-90], p < 0.001). Patients were least satisfied with the attention given to IBD-related emotions and information on IBD medication, diet and future perspectives [77, 76, 57 and 54% of patients satisfied]. Patients [81%] preferred spoken information. Only 26-27% preferred brochures and websites.

Conclusions: In this study, the SATI-Q questionnaire was developed and validated to assess patient satisfaction with care in early IBD. Our findings suggest that psychosocial care and information on IBD medication, diet influence and future perspectives for recently diagnosed IBD patients require improvement.

Keywords: Crohn’s disease; Quality of care; patient satisfaction; ulcerative colitis.