Project 465804

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic condition without a known cure. IBS patients struggle to manage their symptoms even with the medical interventions available. Also, these patients often have mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. These difficulties impact their quality of life and ability to be active members of the workforce. Primary care physicians are responsible for managing patients with IBS, but they have a limited number of treatments and resources to be able to do so effectively. We know that when chronic disease patients have the support of their physicians in self-care, they have better outcomes such as improved symptoms and quality of life. Self-management support (SMS) includes education and supportive interventions to help patients manage their health. What we do not know is the role primary care providers have in SMS. SMS is not well defined in Canada and an IBS-specific SMS model in primary care has not been developed or tested. There is a need to better understand how SMS can be incorporated into primary care for IBS patients and how this change can benefit the patients, providers, and the health system. This project will partner with patients and primary care providers to (a) assess gaps in current IBS model models of care and the need for IBS-specific SMS in primary care; (b) co-create, evaluate, and implement a self-management support model of care to improve the lifestyle management of IBS in Alberta. This research has the potential to create engaged and informed patients, improve patient outcomes, bring appropriate care to community, and improve the use of healthcare resources, while also supporting healthcare providers to be better equipped to address the complex needs of their patients. This research is also expected to lay the groundwork for transformation of care for individuals living with IBS and establish methodologies for developing SMS for other chronic conditions in primary care beyond Alberta.