Investigation of Appropriate Telemedicine for Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Objective This study explored the conditions for applying telemedicine to patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), attempting to demonstrate that the application of telemedicine to patients with IBD does not adversely affect their condition and clarifying the form of telemedicine that meets the needs of patients with IBD. Methods Study 1 retrospectively investigated the application of telemedicine and its impact on IBD treatment, whereas Study 2 investigated the perceptions of telemedicine in patients with IBD. Patients Study 1 was conducted using the medical records of 267 patients with IBD who had been treated at our department throughout the financial years (FY) 2019 and 2020. In Study 2, a questionnaire survey was presented to 113 patients from Study 1, who agreed to complete the questionnaire. Results No patient background factors significantly influenced telemedicine implementation in FY 2020. A shorter disease duration, relapse in the previous FY, and lower Hb levels were significantly related to relapse in FY 2020, whereas the use of telemedicine was not related to relapse. The survey revealed that most patients with IBD preferred a conventional face-to-face treatment system; however, patients who had difficulty finding the time to visit the hospital tended to prefer telemedicine. Conclusion Telemedicine can be implemented in patients with IBD without adverse effects on their medical conditions; however, the appropriate conditions for applying telemedicine need to be clarified in the future. It is necessary to establish an IBD treatment system that satisfies patients' needs, considering the characteristics of those who wish to receive telemedicine.