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An Intervention for Person-Centered Support in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Development and Pilot Study
Ida Björkman1, Gisela Ringström, Magnus Simrén
1Ida Björkman, PhD, RN, is Senior Lecturer, Institute of Health and Care Sciences and the Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. Gisela Ringström, PhD, RN, is Head Nurse, Department of Internal Medicine & Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine and the Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. Magnus Simrén, PhD, MD, is Professor, Department of Internal Medicine & Clinical Nutrition, Institute of Medicine and the Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. Jenny Myrgren, MSc, RN, is Nurse, Institute of Health and Care Sciences and the Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. Eva Jakobsson Ung, PhD, RN, is Professor, Institute of Health and Care Sciences and the Centre for Person-Centred Care (GPCC), Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
This study developed and piloted a nurse-led intervention for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), significantly improving IBS symptom severity. Patients reported positive experiences and enhanced self-management skills, suggesting potential for larger trials.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Nursing
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent, chronic functional gastrointestinal disorder significantly impacting daily life, healthcare use, and work productivity.
- Nurses are currently underutilized in the management of IBS, despite their potential role in patient support and care.
- A systematic approach is needed to develop and evaluate effective interventions for IBS management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically develop a person-centered support intervention for individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.
- To evaluate the feasibility and potential efficacy of this nurse-led intervention in a pilot study.
Main Methods:
- The intervention was developed using the Medical Research Council's framework for complex interventions, incorporating literature reviews and multidisciplinary expert input.
- A pilot study involved 17 patients with IBS, who received the person-centered support intervention.
- Outcomes were assessed using validated questionnaires for IBS symptom severity, gastrointestinal-specific anxiety, and self-efficacy, supplemented by patient interviews.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant reduction in irritable bowel syndrome symptom severity was observed from baseline to follow-up.
- No significant improvements were found in gastrointestinal-specific anxiety or self-efficacy scores.
- Patients reported positive perceptions of the intervention, highlighting a beneficial learning process, a supportive nurse-patient relationship, and improved self-management abilities.
Conclusions:
- The nurse-led, person-centered support intervention demonstrates feasibility and promising potential efficacy for managing irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
- Positive patient feedback and enhanced self-management skills support the intervention's suitability for further investigation in larger, controlled trials.
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