P1184 Comprehensive IBD Care: Introduction of an IBD-specialized psychologist in a multidisciplinary IBD team
Authors: Keersmaekers B , Vanderbist K , Vermeire S , Verstockt B , Sabino J , Ferrante M 
Published: January 2025

Background

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) can significantly affect patients’ quality of life and increase the risk of psychological comorbidities. Integrating an IBD-specialized psychologist into the multidisciplinary care team is recommended by ECCO Quality of Care Standards (Fioriono, JCC 2020). A specialized psychologist can offer targeted interventions for IBD-specific challenges, including disease acceptance, coping, stress and symptom management. In October 2021, a clinical psychologist specializing in IBD joined our multidisciplinary care team. We evaluated characteristics of referred patients, reasons for referral, applied treatments and satisfaction levels.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we collected demographic and psychological data on all IBD patients referred to the IBD-psychologist between September 2021 and June 2024. Furthermore, a satisfaction survey consisting of 10 questions was sent out to all patients who had one or more contacts with the IBD-psychologist since her appointment.

Results

During the 34-month study period, 1,214 patient contacts with the IBD psychologist were documented, with a gradual increase from an average of 44 to 152 per quarter (Figure 1). A total of 274 unique IBD patients (57.8% female, median [IQR] age 36 [28-50] years, 67.5% with Crohn’s disease, 78.8% outpatients) were referred for an intake visit. Patients had a median [IQR] of 3 [1-6] contacts, with 15.2% requiring ≥10 follow-up visits. Approximately one third of patients (29.9%) had just one contact, mainly during admission (62.3%). Reasons for in- and outpatient referrals are shown in Table 1, alongside the psychological treatments used. For 67.2% of patients, the treatment was considered completed by the psychologist. While 7.2% remain in follow-up, 25.6% were referred to additional specialized mental health professionals.

Satisfaction survey results (n=70, response rate 27.2%) indicated a high level of contentment. Nearly 87% rated the quality of care as excellent or good, and over 91% felt their needs were mostly met. Furthermore, 80% reported that the psychological help improved their coping abilities, and 90% expressed satisfaction with their experience.

Conclusion

Integrating an IBD psychologist within a multidisciplinary care team has significantly enhanced psychological support for IBD patients. The increased frequency of consultations reflects the growing recognition of the importance of addressing psychological dimensions of IBD. Altogether, this has contributed to more comprehensive patient care..

References

Fiorino G, Lytras T, Younge L, Fidalgo C, Coenen S, Chaparro M, Allocca M, Arnott I, Bossuyt P, Burisch J, Campmans-Kuijpers M, de Ridder L, Dignass A, Drohan C, Feakins R, Gilardi D, Grosek J, Groß E, Hart A, Jäghult S, Katsanos K, Lönnfors S, Panis Y, Perovic M, Pierik M, Rimola J, Tulchinsky H, Gisbert JP. Quality of Care Standards in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: a European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] Position Paper. J Crohns Colitis. 2020 Sep 7;14(8):1037-1048.