A Prospective Patient Education Program for IBD Patients

During the past few decades, key medical organizations have highlighted the importance of patient education and support. Evidence suggests that improving inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients' knowledge of their disease may empower patients to use more adaptive coping strategies and compliance with therapy and medical follow-up. Medical knowledge of disease pathophysiology and treatment are important determinants of early stage self-management in newly diagnosed IBD patients, and of adherence to therapy. Level of patient knowledge has been associated with significantly lower health care costs, possibly through improving patients behavioral choices leading to improved long-term clinical outcomes (such as disease activity, hospitalization and surgeries) and through preventive medicine, such as vaccinations, and screening for cancer prevention. Despite availability of multiple alternatives for raising disease education levels, many adolescent and adult patients consistently show low levels of comprehension of their disease state and treatment regimen. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of a video based educational program for IBD patients on patient knowledge and understanding of their disease, patient reported outcomes and quality of life.