International Organization for the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Global Strategies for Telemedicine and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Abstract

Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of care for inflammatory bowel disease patients was provided in-person. The practice of gastroenterology care has since rapidly transformed, with telemedicine emerging as an essential tool to provide medical care to patients while maintaining social distancing and conserving personal protective equipment. This article provides insight into past and current practices among inflammatory bowel disease specialists and shares regulatory, financial and practical considerations for incorporating telemedicine into clinical practice. Continued government and other payer support for telemedicine and ongoing innovation to provide remote objective patient data will help to sustain the use of telemedicine long after the current pandemic subsides.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on inflammatory bowel disease patients: A review of the current evidence

“…Today it is COVID-19, but in the future, it could be some other virus, especially as we are now more than ever aware of our susceptibility to a viral pandemic. IOIBD/ECCO issued a summary of the best strategies for IBD management via telemedicine, carefully covering every aspect of the patient-physician relationship[ 101 ]. Another very important aspect of telemedicine is its inexpensiveness.…”

Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s 2021 Impact of COVID-19 and Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada: Executive Summary

“…The rapid and widespread innovation of health care delivery from the pre-pandemic era was not without precedent; ( 33 ) Crohn’s and Colitis Canada had already developed the Promoting Access and Care through Centers of Excellence (PACE) Telemedicine Program in Ontario ( 34 ). Moreover, during the pandemic, studies of people with IBD and health care providers identified increased satisfaction, improved outcomes, and greater efficiency with the health care innovations (e.g., Telemedicine) such that the future of IBD care will most likely comprise hybrid models of in-person and virtual health care delivery ( 35 ).…”

Inflammatory bowel disease service redesign during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Living, learning and delivering care amidst angst and uncertainty

“…They question our "pre-pandemic" paradigms around aspects of health care delivery. 8,9 The near universal adoption of telemedicine and components needed for its delivery have been available even in the pre-pandemic era severe COVID-19 outcomes. 10,11 Also, that clinically active IBD at the onset of viral infection is a strong independent risk factor for | 265 INVITED EDITORIAL serious infection, making it imperative for clinicians to factor IBD severity and activity into individual treatment choices in the light of evolving knowledge.…”

“…Even as a growing body of literature supports these initiatives, 3,4,6,7 their findings early in the pandemic need to be taken in context. They question our “pre‐pandemic” paradigms around aspects of health care delivery 8,9 . The near universal adoption of telemedicine and components needed for its delivery have been available even in the pre‐pandemic era but have been underutilised by healthcare professionals, particularly by doctors for out‐patient services and communication between professionals.…”