The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and Crohn's & Colitis UK IBD Spotlight Project ran between 2017 and 2020. The project produced a resource-rich Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Toolkit, featuring podcasts, presentations and tools to help GPs better support their patients with IBD.
The aim of the IBD Spotlight project in its first year was to improve the detection and diagnosis of IBD and to support primary care clinicians to treat, manage and appropriately refer patients with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. As part of this, 624 GPs across the UK were surveyed in relation to:
In 2018 the RCGP IBD Toolkit was developed as a user-friendly ‘one-stop shop’ for GPs to access all the key information needed when considering whether or not a person has Crohn’s or Colitis. With over 70 GPs a month actively seeking to increase their knowledge of IBD.
In 2018-19 the focus shifted to flare management and how GPs can support their patients to manage their condition longer term.
In June 2019, the Crohn’s and Colitis Flare Pathways were launched providing, once again, a single point of reference which a GP can access guidance for dealing with a person whose known Crohn’s or Colitis is ‘flaring’. These pathways have been endorsed by the RCGP, BSG and PCSG, and included as part of the RCGP IBD Toolkit.
A survey of GPs undertaken by the RCGP at the start of the Spotlight Project revealed that 52% of GPs stated that they were ‘less than confident’ or ‘not confident’ in dealing with patients whose Crohn's or Colitis was flaring. The flare pathway was developed directly to meet these concerns.
In order to improve knowledge of Crohn’s and Colitis in primary care, the RCGP and Crohn’s & Colitis UK developed a network of IBD Spotlight Champions across the UK.
These individuals, GPs and IBD nurses, undertook training and information sessions within primary care and patient networks, participated in media interviews and placed articles in professional and regional press.
There were IBD Spotlight Champions in London, South West of England, Midlands, and North and South Wales.
The RCGP will continue to maintain the well-received e-learning module, and additional resources such podcasts.
The RCGP and Crohn's & Colitis UK IBD Spotlight Project would not be possible without the support of the Peter Sowerby Foundation.
Keep in touch with us a receive news, updates and opportunities to get involved for healthcare professionals.
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We know it can be difficult to live with, or support someone living with these conditions. But you’re not alone. We provide up-to-date, evidence-based information and can support you to live well with Crohn’s or Colitis.
Our helpline team can help by:
Providing information about Crohn’s and Colitis.
Listening and talking through your situation.
Helping you to find support from others in the Crohn’s and Colitis community.
Signposting you to specialist organisations.
Please be aware we’re not medically or legally trained. We cannot provide detailed financial or benefits advice or specialist emotional support.
Please contact us via telephone, email or LiveChat - 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (except English bank holidays).
If you need specific medical advice about your condition, your GP or IBD team will be best placed to help.
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