Implementing Collaborative Care Management of Behavioral Health for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Behavioral Health
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience higher rates of anxiety and depression.
• Collaborative care management (CoCM) is an evidence-based, team-based model for behavioral health disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of CoCM in reducing anxiety and depressive symptoms in IBD patients.
• To evaluate provider acceptance of the CoCM model in a specialty gastroenterology setting.

Main Methods:

• Patients with psychological distress were referred to the CoCM program.
• Data collected over 9 months assessed depression and anxiety response and remission rates.
• Provider surveys evaluated acceptability of the CoCM model.

Main Results:

• Despite pandemic interruptions, 47.4% of participants showed response or remission in depression, and 36.8% in anxiety.
• Gastroenterologists found the CoCM program beneficial and felt comfortable implementing recommendations.

Conclusions:

• CoCM is a potentially feasible and well-accepted care delivery model for managing depression and anxiety in IBD patients.
• The CoCM model can be effectively implemented in specialty gastroenterology clinics.